Mayor of London Boris Johnson has said non-Muslims should fast and even go to the mosque during Ramadan to enhance understanding of their ‘Muslim neighbour’ and ‘find out more about Islam.’
Speaking during a visit to the East London Mosque and the London Muslim Centre last week, Mr Johnson said he is urging people to find out more about Islam, increase understanding and learning, fast with Muslims and even visit their local mosque.
Mr Johnson’s visit coincided with the period of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and other activities.
‘Whether it's in theatre, comedy, sports, music or politics, Muslims are challenging the traditional stereotypes and showing that they are, and want to be, a part of the mainstream community,’ he said.
‘That's why I urge people, particularly during Ramadan, to find out more about Islam, increase your understanding and learning, even fast for a day with your Muslim neighbour and break your fast at the local mosque. I would be very surprised if you didn’t find that you share more in common than you thought.
‘Muslims are at the heart of every aspect of society. Their contribution is something that all Londoners benefit from. Muslim police officers, doctors, scientists and teachers are an essential part of the fabric of London.
‘Islamic finance is contributing to the economy by changing the way Londoners invest, save, borrow and spend. There are valuable lessons that people of all backgrounds can learn from Islam such as the importance of community spirit, family ties, compassion and helping those less fortunate, all of which lie at the heart of the teachings of Ramadan,’ Mr Johnson added.
The Mayor of London is not the first who suggested this approach. The Home Office Islamic Network has already offered similar activity for Home Office staff. Para 6, a paragraph directed at non-Muslims, of the official guidelines of the Islamic Network states:
• In general, this is a time for staff and managers to gain some knowledge and insight into the Muslim faith. It is also an opportunity to promote better understanding between staff, especially as much of the current media focus on Islam is often quite negative.
• In practical terms, please be sensitive when eating lunch near a Muslim colleague who is fasting. This can make an individual feel hungrier and make it more challenging to observe the fast. This will vary from person to person and will obviously depend on the food!
• Perhaps you may also wish to have a go at fasting for a day yourself? This could increase understanding and empathy for colleagues who are fasting.
Management and human resources authorities across the country have issued advice and guidance in preparation for Islamic festivals and traditions.
David Fairclough, strategic director of HR at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:
‘We issue information, advice and guidance to all managers every year to ensure we recognise and respect the traditions and requirements of Muslims among our staff and in the local community during Ramadan. Subject to their manager’s approval and the needs of the service, staff may use flexi-time and request leave (annual or unpaid) to enable them to observe Ramzan and celebrate Eid.’
Graham White, HR director at Westminster City Council, said that upcoming Ramadan served as a timely reminder for organisations to plan ahead of the introduction of the Equality Bill in 2011. He said:
‘We have developed quiet space in our two main buildings, for meditation, prayer and religious observance, and they are appropriately prepared. We ensure we keep our general managers team up to date with any impending religious days and they are aware of what likely requests they might get.’
Jo Barclay, diversity project manager at the Co-operative Group (a founding member of the Employers Forum on Belief (EFB)), said:
‘Productivity may drop during the month of Ramadan as participating Muslims are not getting any fuel. Our managers may therefore encourage those workers not to organise meetings past 3pm, or to leave earlier where possible.’
Rachel Krys, EFB campaign director, advised employers to keep biscuits out of meetings and rearrange working hours during Ramadan. She said:
‘Something as simple as not having biscuits at a team meeting would demonstrate sensitivity to what your Muslim colleagues are doing.’
(See Personnel Today for the statements)
In 2008, Foreign Secretary David Miliband also paid special respect to Ramadan and not Christmas when the Foreign Office launched a consultation on whether Christmas merited a special greeting for embassy officials.
(See the Daily Mail report)
In the same year, council leaders in Oxford decided to ban the word Christmas from festive celebrations to make them more 'inclusive'.
(See the Oxford Mail and The Daily Telegraph reports)
In August 2008, all members of Tower Hamlets Council in east London were sent an email asking them to abide by the restrictions observed by strict Muslims during the holy month whilst ordering to rename a staff Christmas party as a ‘festive meal’ and banning Guy Fawkes at bonfire night.
(See The Daily Telegraph report)
In September 2008, the authorities at Yorkshire Coast College removed the words Christmas and Easter from their calendar so as not to cause offence to ethnic minorities or religious groups.
(See the Scarborough Evening News report)
In December the same year, Greenwood Junior School sent out a letter to parents saying the three day Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha meant that Muslim children would be off school, and therefore, the traditional Christmas nativity play should be cancelled. Following outrage from parents, the school was forced to send out a second letter saying that the Christmas play would be done in January.
(See The Daily Telegraph report)
It was reported in July this year that choirs have been banned from singing carols in parts of the UK Parliament this Christmas. Mike Penning, Conservative MP for Hemel Hempstead, raised the point of order with Commons Speaker John Bercow, saying:
'For the last four years in the run-up to Christmas, choirs from my constituency have entertained in Portcullis House over lunch parliamentarians and staff and other members of the Commons authorities.
'Last week, out of the blue, an email arrived in my office saying this would be banned in the future as it was inconveniencing members of the House during their lunch. Is this something you were aware of, and surely we should be encouraging young people into this House - not barring them.’
There are many other examples of authorities’ and society’s ‘embarrassment’ with the Christian traditions.
President Barak Obama has also personally congratulated Muslims for Ramadan and said that the Islamic rituals ‘remind us of the principles that we hold in common and Islam's role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.’ (emphasis added)
(See The White House website video)
Mike Oppenhiemer, a US activist, says that the expansion of Islam into the West has been accelerating as Muslims enjoy and take advantage of our nations freedom to practice their religion.
'But we are not offered the same courtesy; as other religions do not enjoy the same freedom in Islamic nations,' he said.
'There was no White House recognition of the National Day of Prayer. It was reported that a group of Black pastors were arrested for praying in front of the White House on the National Day of Prayer.
'There was no 'Christian message on the US national day of prayer' from the president because he was uncomfortable going to it. But on 20 August 2009, there was a message sent to Muslims throughout the world for their celebration of Ramadan. At the end of the message the president of the USA says: 'May god's peace be upon you,' Mr Oppenhiemer added.
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