All About Muslim

Muslims now form one of the largest religious groups in the UK. With a population of approximately 1.5 million Muslims and growing, UK based companies are employing more and more young Muslim men and women. The following information contains basic tips and guidelines for HR staff and others to bear in mind. Muslims differ from generation to generation, culture to culture, some are more devout than others and interpretations and practices of the faith are numerous.

Prayer

A Muslim, both male and female, is expected to pray five times a day. If staff are required to be committed to a desk space at certain times it may be a good idea to agree on allocated times in which they can read their prayers.

Friday Prayers

Most Muslim men attend the mosque on Friday afternoons for obligatory congregational prayers. Let your staff know you understand their requirements and agree on an extended lunch break and/or allocate their Friday lunch breaks to convenient times.

Fasting

Fasting involves abstinence from food, drink, chewing and smoking from dawn till dusk. At dusk, Muslims traditionally break their fast with dates and water before proceeding to eat a meal.

In the workplace it is best to be aware of staff who are fasting as this avoids potential offence if the staff member declines an invite to lunch or to some other function involving food.

Dress

One area Muslim men may clash with company policy is in their wearing of beards. If you have strict guidelines regarding facial hair or follow certain health and hygiene procedures, then it is wise to ensure that potential male Muslim employees are made aware of these procedures. Muslim women are required to cover their hair (hijab) and to dress modestly. If your company has a uniform or a certain dress code be sure it permits the wearing of hijabs.

Holidays

Generally Muslims in the UK take holidays as and when they need to. As with Eid al-Fitr, Muslims typically take a single day holiday during this period.

Socialising

As Muslims do not drink any alcohol and places such as pubs, bars and discos are not considered suitable venues for relaxation, then Muslim staff may politely decline such offers. When planning team building trips or exercises or team outings always bear in mind a Muslim member of staff may feel uncomfortable if the venue is a pub, bar or even a restaurant serving alcohol.

Food

Meat must always be halal. If halal meat cannot be sourced then Muslims are allowed to eat Kosher meat too. Pork is not eaten at all by Muslims.