https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/02/27/appuyer-infirmier-musulman-pendant-ramadan
Talk to your colleagues and find out how you can help
By Zahra Upal
February 27, 2025
istockphoto.com/andresr
It is helpful to have open and direct conversations with your Muslim colleagues so they can tell you how to support them during Ramadan. Each person is unique and their needs may differ from others.
The holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin tomorrow evening, Feb. 28, or Saturday, March 1, and millions of Muslims around the world will fast from dawn to sunset. Along with fasting, the month’s activities include an increase in worship, recitation of the Holy Quran, and giving back to one’s community.
The nursing profession includes many Muslims and they may require some special accommodations during Ramadan, which ends at the end of March. Here are my top five tips on how to support nurses during Ramadan:
Traditional greeting
The traditional greetings for this month include Ramadan Kareem, which means “Have a generous Ramadan,” and Ramadan Mubarak, which means “have a blessed Ramadan.” Offering either greeting is one way to express your well wishes to your Muslim colleagues.
Open communication
It is helpful to have open and direct conversations with your Muslim colleagues so they can tell you how to support them during Ramadan. Each person is unique and their needs may differ from others. Therefore, having a discussion is an excellent starting point.
Fasting
The month of Ramadan can look different for everyone. While the majority of Muslims take part in fasting, some may be exempt from this practice or choose not to take part for personal reasons. For example, if a person is unwell or on a journey, they are not required to fast. Females are exempt from fasting during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menstruation. Although some Muslims may forgo fasting, many of them may still take part in other activities, such as increased worship. Talk to your colleague to best understand their needs and preferences.
Beginning and ending of a daily fast and prayers
As many nurses are on shift work, the timings for eating suhoor, which is the meal before the daily fast begins, and iftar, which is the meal at the end of the daily fast, may fall during working hours. Your Muslim colleagues may request to have their break during one of these times to partake in the required meal. Adjusting break times to allow this meal to take place can be an excellent way to support your colleagues. Likewise, a Muslim nurse may request to perform their mandatory daily prayers at specific times and you can support them by accommodating their schedule.
Treats at the workplace
Oftentimes, generous patients or colleagues like to treat nursing staff with food as a token of their appreciation. You can support your muslim colleague by inquiring if a portion of the food can be set aside for them to eat when they end their daily fast. It is also not frowned upon to eat in front of a Muslim person who is fasting.
As the blessed month of Ramadan begins, let’s work together to ensure that we are supporting Muslim nurses in the best way possible.
Zahra Upal, BA, BScN, RN, is a master of nursing graduate and nursing instructor at the University of Calgary. Her research examines experiences of Islamophobia faced by Muslim nurses in Canada. Zahra is also a proud member of the Muslim community.
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