Introduction

Welcome to my simplified Ramadan 101, whether you're new to the celebrations or celebrate Ramadan yourself. As we bid farewell to this holy month, I'm taking a moment to reflect on its significance and share what this special holiday means to me and how it coincides with my professional life day to day. 

Let's start easy... what is Ramadan?

For me, it's not just about fasting from sunrise to sunset. It's a journey of self-discipline, reflection, and spiritual growth. It's a time to cleanse my soul, get rid of those negative habits, and strive to take steps towards becoming a better person.

As one of the 5 pillars of Islam, fasting during Ramadan is a profound act of faith and devotion. Each day, I start with Suhoor before dawn and break my fast with Iftar at sunset. 

The Hijri calendar or Lunar calendar starts from the year 622 AD in the Gregorian calendar, making the current year in the Hijri calendar 1445. In 2024, Ramadan was to begin on the 11th of March and end with Eid al-Fitr, on or around the 10th of April (subject to the moon sighting).

It’s more than just fasting…

Ramadan is more than just fasting; it's a chance to focus on my faith amidst the chaos of daily life. It's about avoiding negative thoughts, actions, and behaviours, and embracing positivity through actions like reciting the Holy Quran, zakat – giving charity to the needy – performing five daily prayers, and staying away from any unclean practices.

My days during Ramadan usually start with Fajr (prayer during dawn), followed by Zohar (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (evening) then conclude with Isha (night).

It's a time where I foster empathy, kindness, and compassion towards others. Personally, Ramadan serves as a reminder of the blessings in my life and the importance of gratitude.

The month of the Quran 

What makes Ramadan extra special? Its connection to the Quran, which was revealed during this month. So, it's not just about abstaining from food; it's a golden opportunity for me to dive deep into the Quran's pages. 

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ

Ramaḍân is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. (Quran, 2:185). 

The benefits of fasting

In recent years, we’ve seen countless medical, fitness and nutrition experts advise intermittent fasting as a means for attaining better health and overall functionality... but this is why I love Islam - it’s one step ahead of the curve. 😉

Fasting is believed to:

• Help your body fix itself
• Reset your body's metabolism
• Increase how much growth hormone your body makes
• Boost your brain function
• Control blood sugar by making your body more sensitive to insulin
• Make your blood pressure better
• Fight inflammation and reduce it

Getting closer to God AND attaining optimal health? It’s a sure win-win for me! 🎉

Working during Ramadan…

Remember that different people will be celebrating Ramadan in various ways. Understanding this is also an important part of how you can support Muslims at work during this time.

Here are some ways for supporting your Muslim friends and colleagues at work during Ramadan:

• Be flexible with working arrangements and time off during Ramadan: Fasting will likely have an impact on energy levels, coupled with longer nights spent in community and worship. At The Digital Voice™, I love the fact that if needed, I can take multiple mini screen breaks, start the day late or finish the day early. We really do have the flexibility! 

• Discuss with your employers/colleagues how you could help them: As a group, we are not a monolith, everyone I know has a different relationship and approach to their faith. At The Digital Voice™, we frequently check in with each other to see how we’re feeling throughout the day. 



• Prepare for annual leave requests for Eid celebrations: Recognising that the Islamic calendar is lunar allows you to make space for supporting us at work. Employers should understand that we won’t know the exact date upon which Eid will fall (as this depends on the sighting of the new moon). So, expect some last minute time-offs!

• Raise Ramadan awareness in the workplace: Incorporate awareness raising into your plans for supporting us at work, so that your entire team can recognise the time and learn more about it. Culture is a huge part of The Digital Voice™, and we love to shout about it. This Friday is all about Eid and we’re celebrating together virtually with the whole team by dressing up, sharing stories and playing charades. 

Celebrating Eid…

As the month of Ramadan comes to a close, I can't help but feel excited for Eid al-Fitr –the big celebration that marks the end of fasting. It's a time to let loose and have fun after a month of self-reflection and prayers with friends and family.

One of the best parts of Eid is the food! From sweet treats like baklava and sheer khurma to savoury snacks like samosas and kebabs, there's always something for everyone. Families and friends come together to cook up a feast and enjoy each other's company.

Eid is also about giving and receiving. Kids eagerly anticipate getting "Eidi," a little gift of money from the elders. It's a way to show love and appreciation. In the past, collecting Eidi was always a highlight and used to get me giddy with excitement for the end of the season. 

But the fun doesn't stop there! My family used to play games like cricket, card games and board games, all while dressed up in our fanciest clothes. Our homes are usually decorated with colourful lights and balloons, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Eid is all about celebrating with loved ones, making memories, and spreading joy. 

And that's a wrap!

Ultimately, Ramadan serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance, compassion, and gratitude in both my personal and professional life. It's a time to reevaluate my priorities, strengthen my relationships, and strive for excellence in all that I do. Whether you celebrate or not, I think that’s something all of us should make time to do every now and then.

To learn more about the significance of Ramadan and its practices, feel free to check out our previous blog post - Fasting, Feasting and Faith: Celebrating Ramadan and Eid at The Digital Voice™

As the holy month comes to an end, I look forward to embracing the blessings and lessons it brings, both in my spiritual journey and my professional endeavours. 

Ramadan Mubarak to all who observe – may this month be filled with peace, blessings, and spiritual growth.

Sherebano Anverally is the Senior Social Media and Content Marketing Executive at The Digital Voice . Prior to joining The Digital Voice, Sherry had completed 10+ work experience programs and a work placement year as a digital marketer alongside her degree. Over the years, she's created and executed multiple social media strategies for a wide range of brands as well as experience in managing client relationships and collaborating with different teams across the business. She now uses all her social media skills to create and share unique and out-of-the-box strategies, ideas, and tools in her ordinary routine with over 1,800+ followers on LinkedIn.