What is Ramadan?
• It is a month of fasting (from dawn to dusk)
• Those who fasting would cause physical harm are not obligated to fast (i.e. children, the menstruating or pregnant)
• The month focuses on extra worship, charity and is a special time for family, friends and the community to break fast together
• The Islamic calendar is lunar, beginning and ending with the new moon and moving ~11 days earlier annually
• This year Ramadan is anticipated to start on February 28th at sunset and will end on the evening of March 29th. Some Muslmis follow astronomical calculations while others wait for the sighting of the new crecent moon to start and end the month
What are the goals of Ramadan?
• Draw closer to God
• Reconnect with the Holy Quran
• Spiritual introspection and rejuvenation
• Cultivate good character
• Increase in generosity and charitable giving
What is a day in Ramadan like?
• Muslims eat a small meal before dawn and then perform the morning prayer
• The fast is broken after sunset, often with three dates and water or tea with the sunset prayer
• It is common to share food with family and friends when breaking fast at a dinner called an iftar
• Additional late-night prayers are performed by many
Accommodations for Michigan Medicine team members
• Fasting employees may request an adjustment to their schedules during Ramadan
• The start of Ramadan this year the breaking of the fast occurs at 6:25pm* migrating as the days get longer to 7:58pm* so those with 7pm shift change might appreciate the opportunity to eat their iftar (meal that breaks the fast) during handoff when that is a possible accommodation, night staff may also seek to take their meal break earlier in their shift.
• Similarly, the pre-fast meal of suhoor needs to be completed by the arrival of dawn: 5:52am* at the start of the month progressing to 6:03am* by the end
• Muslim employees may want to use vacation time during the last ten days of Ramadan when increased worship is common, and/or for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr
• Provide accommodations for daily prayers, and if able for Jummah prayer 1:40-2pm Fridays in the UH chapel
• Daytime staff may choose to rest during meal breaks
• A Ramadan Recharge Room is available throughout Ramadan on the 8th floor of UH South accessed by elevator 9
* There are different schools of practice among Muslims around these times, some may start their fast earlier or end later