Ramadan, the month of fasting, has begun for more than 1.8 billion Muslims around the world. In Germany, too, almost five million people will abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk.
Only children, the sick, the elderly, travellers, pregnant and breastfeeding women are exempt from fasting – for health reasons.
What actually is Ramadan?
Ramadan is in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar year. The month of fasting shifts by around ten days every year. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam.
When is Ramadan? In Germany, Ramadan 2023 begins on the evening of March 22nd and ends on April 21st.
The focus is on charity, reflection and good deeds. Ramadan commemorates the revelation of the Koran by the Archangel Gabriel to the Prophet Mohammed.
Why is Ramadan fasted?
Devout Muslims fast during Ramadan. With renunciation and several prayers a day, believers want to cleanse themselves of their sins. Those who cannot fast, for example because they are traveling, can make up for it later.
Fasting (“Saum”) is one of the five so-called pillars of religion, along with the creed (“Schahada”), prayer five times a day (“Salat”), alms tax (“Zakat”) and the pilgrimage to Mecca (“Hajj”) Islam.
Praying and reading the Holy Scripture, the Koran, are part of the rituals of the fasting month of Ramadan
The daily fast ends with the Ifar, the festive dinner after sunset. Not only the family, but also friends and neighbors often come together for this purpose. Food that is halal is eaten together. Ramadan ends with the breaking of the fast, which is celebrated as a three-day festival (Ramazan Bayrami).
What does halal mean?
Halal means allowed. The Koran, the Holy Scriptures of Islam, regulates which foods are permitted and which are not.
Forbidden, haram, are any products made from pigs, i.e. the meat in general, but also, for example, gelatine, which is mainly made from pig bones and skins. Blood, alcohol and animals not slaughtered according to Islamic law are also prohibited.
When can you eat during Ramadan?
During Ramadan, eating and drinking is prohibited between dawn and dusk. The fast may only be broken after iftar (sunset).
In addition to this “outer” fasting, there is an “inner” dimension. According to this, Muslims should pay more attention during Ramadan than usual to keep themselves fundamentally free from sin.
Little office etiquette for the time of Ramadan
- During Lent, you should try not to eat at your desk in front of your Muslim colleagues or offer them drinks and food.
- Prayer is also part of Ramadan. Show understanding if your Muslim colleagues withdraw a little longer to pray.
- When warm temperatures prevail during Ramadan, it can become a burden for those who are fasting. Do you understand if your colleagues’ ability to concentrate and perform is somewhat limited.
- Ramadan is the time of inner contemplation and reflection, so refrain from making lewd jokes.
- At the end of Lent you can say “Happy Bayram!” to your colleagues. wish.