Partner and Head of Employment at Ison Harrison, Yunus Lunat, is spearheading a campaign which will see non-Muslim staff take part in a 1 day fast for Ramadhan to raise money for a local charity and good cause.
Ramadhan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar and is a special time for practicing Muslims. It is an opportunity to reconnect with their faith and reflect. Ramadhan is also known as the month of selflessness and charity, with more than £100million estimated to be donated to charity by British Muslims during the month. A report in 2016 calculated Muslim charitable donations at an incredible £38 each second during Ramadhan.
The idea for a firm-wide 1 Day Fast came about after recent staff conversations and many saying they were intrigued to find out more about Ramadhan and what it means to their Muslim colleagues. The concept of fasting for a day seemed like a good way for non-Muslim employees to get involved whilst raising money for a local charity.
Ison Harrison staff are invited to participate in the 1 Day Fast on at least one working day during week commencing 27th May and they will be asked to make a small donation equivalent to what they would otherwise spend on lunch to help raise money for local charity Mill Hill Chapel in Leeds to help fund a counselling service that they have launched for refugees and asylum seekers. We are proud to support this local charity.
The 1 Day Fast is intended to be a bit a light-hearted challenge but we are keen to raise as much money as possible for Mill Hill in the process. A number of employees will be involved.
Helping a worthy cause is at the heart of the campaign and Yunus believes the 1 Day Fast could be a significant event in the yearly calendar at Ison Harrison, with the intention of encouraging other firms to take part too and raise money for other good causes.
Yunus commented:
The 1 Day Fast is an opportunity for non-Muslim staff to fast for a day during Ramadhan and raise money for a local charity. It came about following an observation with colleagues to the effect that the more challenging aspect of Ramadhan is to try to be a better person and to go out of one’s way to help others who are less fortunate. I am delighted to see so many staff at Ison Harrison choosing to take part in the 1 Day Fast and support a great local cause.
For more information, please contact Yunus Lunat on 0113 284 5023 or email yunus.lunat@isonharrison.co.uk
Read our other Ramadan In The Workplace: In Focus blog posts:
