Embracing Diversity: How ABICOR BINZEL employees celebrate Ramadan

As ABICOR BINZEL has subsidiaries all over the world, many of our colleagues, partners and customers celebrate Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. Our colleagues from our latest established subsidiary ABICOR BINZEL Maghreb share some general information and their very personal meaning of Ramadan with us.

What is Ramadan and what does it involve?

Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims all over the world. Is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which follows the phases of the moon. This means the dates of Ramadan change each year. The month starts when the new crescent moon is first visible in the night sky.

During Ramadan, the day starts early so that people can eat a meal before dawn. This meal, called Suhoor, is important as it will keep fasting Muslims going though the day. During daylight hours, they cannot eat food or drink water or any other drinks. In late spring or early summer, this is particularly difficult as the day can be very long. People who live in polar regions, where daylight can last 22 hours or more, can choose to follow the dawn and sunset times in Mecca or a nearby country where the sky is dark at night.

But not all Muslims are expected to fast. Children under the age of 12, people who are travelling, elderly people, pregnant women and others where it may affect their health are exempted. Those who can’t fast for any reason can offer to feed poor people for each day they miss during Ramadan.

What happens at sunset during Ramadan?

People can eat and drink again once the sun has gone down. The traditional way to break the fast is by eating dates and drinking a glass of water. The following evening meal, iftar, is a social event that can go on for hours. It is common for people to eat together in large groups of family and friends. Special foods are prepared and shared.

Muslims often include charity in iftar as well, sharing iftar with members of the community who cannot buy their own food. Across the Muslim world, mosque and aid organizations set up tents and tables for the public in poorer communities to donate free iftar meal every night of Ramadan.

What does Ramadan mean for the colleagues from ABICOR BINZEL Maghreb?

Ramadan Kareem from us to you!