Ramadan begins tonight: Here’s what you need to know

Approximately a 3-minute read

Key takeaways:

• Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and worship for Muslims around the world, begins tonight.
• For faculty and staff who observe Ramadan, the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion encourages providing accommodations whenever possible.
• It is also important to show that you are aware that team members may be observing Ramadan. You may also attend an important community conversation or take advantage of other resources made available at Michigan Medicine.

Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and worship for Muslims around the world.

It begins at sundown and Michigan Medicine will be providing important resources to help team members better understand Ramadan and provide support to those who observe it.

Here’s what you may not know about this holy month:

A month of connection

Ramadan is celebrated annually as the month in which the Prophet Mohammad received the first revelations that make up the Quran, the Islamic scripture.

Physically able Muslims abstain from food and drink (including water) from dawn until dusk each day striving for increased piety. Fasting in Ramadan is considered an obligation of the faith. 

Reading the Quran is also significant and many Muslims will gather to pray as it is recited late into the night throughout the month.

So what does a typical day look like during Ramadan?

Often, observers will eat a small meal before dawn and then perform a prayer. After sunset, they will break the fast with a meal called iftar that is typically eaten in community and also perform another prayer. The night prayers that follow may last until past midnight.

What to expect at Michigan Medicine

For faculty and staff who observe Ramadan, the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion encourages providing accommodations whenever possible, including schedule adjustments to allow for the breaking of the fast or to enable staff to pray.

Jummah, the weekly Muslim congregational prayer, will be held each Friday from 1:40 p.m. until 2 p.m. in the University Hospital Chapel.

Ramadan Break Rooms are also available for team members between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., see locations here.

What can I do to support those observing?

Acclimate: Let people know that you are aware that they may be fasting. This may include colleagues, learners, patients and family members. Signaling awareness goes a long way toward making individuals comfortable.

Attend a community conversation: OHEI will host an online community conversation titled “Ramadan Through the Eyes of Muslim Health Care Team Members,” providing the opportunity to learn about Ramadan through the experiences of team members from noon – 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 6. Click here to register for the conversation.

Point to resources: The Department of Spiritual Care, which includes Muslim chaplains, is available to provide support. For more information about Spiritual Care, please click here. To request a consultation or meeting on behalf of a patient or family member, call 734-936-4041 or email UMHS-Chaplain@med.umich.edu.

Click here for more on Ramadan, including DEI resources for health care providers.