Let’s talk about faith.
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of today, the workplace has transformed into a dynamic environment where people from diverse backgrounds come together to pursue their professional aspirations. Alongside the pursuit of success and productivity, there is an inherent need for individuals to feel a sense of belonging and purpose within their workspaces. While discussions about diversity and inclusion have gained significant momentum, one aspect that often remains overlooked is the role of faith in fostering a true sense of belonging in the workplace.
Faith, in its myriad forms, carries immense power and significance for countless individuals worldwide. Yet, when it comes to the workplace, faith can sometimes be considered a sensitive or taboo subject.
However, as organisations increasingly recognise the importance of cultivating an inclusive environment, it becomes imperative to acknowledge the role of faith in shaping individuals' identities and overall sense of belonging.
Last month, three important religious holidays took place. Christians celebrated Easter Jews commemorated Passover and Muslims observed Ramadan.
Read on to hear the real-life stories of those taking part in each of these religious festivals and their colleagues in this think piece all about faith in the workplace.
Rowan Joachim
Head of Engineering – London Overground
“I am a Christian and my faith is very important to me in everything I do. It is not a part of me that I can set aside for my hobbies or work. I ask God for guidance in everything I do, especially where I find the task at hand challenging, or where things get very controversial.
This year has been particularly special. I really enjoy learning about other people’s faiths and how much we have in common. To have Ramadan and Passover to fall within the same timeframe as Lent and Easter is a rare and special blessing and has, I believe, allowed many to see how many similarities there are between Christianity, Judaism and Islam – as well as most other faiths.
Lent is a time where Christians reflect on the events that led up to Jesus’ death and also the time, he spent in the desert fasting and being tempted by the devil. It is a period of prayer and reflection, fasting (though this has interpretations) and giving (charity or service). Most people are familiar with giving something up for lent, very often people choose chocolate, alcohol or treats they love. You don’t have to give something up though; you can also take something up. The purpose is about focussing on the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and what He sacrificed for us, it is about trying to be a better person and, in my view, following God’s teaching more closely. Jesus gave us two ‘great commandments’ to love God with all our heart, soul and mind and the second is to love our neighbour as we love ourselves.
This year, I didn’t give something up, but I chose to take time to pray for each and every person I saw and wish them well with their day. I did this (in my head) by saying the Grace, which is a beautiful, and very simple prayer (May the Grace of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all, now and for ever more, Amen) while I travelled around, whether on the tube, train or car and looked at each person for a few words or a line.
I found it a really calming way of remembering that we are all human, we all have gifts, and we all have our trials and tribulations. I was surprised how often I noticed as a result if people looked sad or happy and sometimes it led to a shared smile or even a conversation! I am very conscious that I can be so quick to judge if someone doesn’t react the way I expect or is struggling and I found that to take some time to say a prayer and wish each and every person well, whether I know them or not mad me feel much more open minded towards everyone I met.
Lent lasts for forty days (well 46 if you include the Sundays), the evening before Lent is Shrove Tuesday (or pancake day as many people know it). Pancakes were made to use up all the ingredients that would not be used during the Lenten period, so they didn’t go off, historically meat, fish, eggs and fat was not eaten during lent. There is a vast array of ways in which Christians observe lent.
However, people choose to observe it, it is a solemn time for reflection and preparation, and it comes to a conclusion in the most magical of services, the Easter vigil. Holy week is the week running up to Easter, it is a curious mix of sadness, reflection and preparation for joyous events and rebirth. The Sunday before Easter Sunday is Palm Sunday, it is the sixth Sunday of lent, and it is when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was welcomed into the city triumphant. Palms were laid at his feet. You will see Christians with palm crosses, which they will keep for a year to make ash with for the following Ash Wednesday (the day after Shrove Tuesday). As the week progresses, Christians reach Holy Wednesday, which is the day Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and Maundy Thursday where Jesus shared the last supper with his disciples. Good Friday is always a very moving day for me. Many Christians take part in the stations of the cross, remembering the journey Jesus took to crucifixion and burial. I find it a hugely moving and difficult day. Traditionally hot cross buns are eaten on Good Friday, the cross on the top signifying the crucifix.
Easter Saturday is a gentle day leading to the Easter vigil, which can be late in the evening of Saturday or in the early hours of Easter Sunday (my favourite) and it starts before the sun has risen. The service starts with a single light (often from a brazier), often outside, from which the pascal candle and congregation candles are lit the service goes from the physical darkness through to the light as the sun rises and marks the rising of Christ. It is a magical service and we renew our baptismal vows and spiritually are reborn. It is my favourite time and service of the whole year, and it lifts and calms me.
I always feel the journey to Easter, reminding me to walk closer with God, to focus on what we share, our similarities and that we are all unique and special in God’s eyes is so powerful and to love and have time for everyone is incredibly important to me. I tend to find the better I manage to keep my Lenten promises, the more uplifting I find Easter.”
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Shelli Gafan,
CEO and Specialist Recruiter – Advance in IT
“Passover is a historic Jewish festival that lasts for 8 days. It came from when we, the Israelites were slaves in Egypt thousands of years ago, slaves to Pharaoh and we tried to escape so we didn’t have time to let our dough rise. If you have seen the show ‘Joseph and his technicolor dreamcoat’ this is the story of Joseph and Egypt.
It is a time of remembrance, reflection, and rejoicing, as it commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt and their journey towards freedom.
As a result of having to escape, we eat Matzah, which is unleavened bread and tastes like cardboard and also clogs up your insides, so it’s not pleasant. We also have to clean our houses from top to bottom to make sure there are no crumbs left as well as changing our crockery and cutlery so it’s also clear of any crumbs.
On the first night of Passover, we hold a family event round a table called a ‘seder’. This means ‘order’. We read from a book called a Haggadah and have symbols on a ‘seder plate’ including charoset (chopped walnuts, cinnamon, apple and wine) to remind us of the mortar that we build the temple with, and we eat egg in salt water to remind us of the bitter tears we cried as Jews.
Taking lunch to work, or buying lunch out if you are observing Passover, could be challenging as there is little choice available of what to eat. You cannot eat anything that rises, not only bread. For example, beans, rice, popcorn, beer, whiskey and the like. Eating dinner out over Passover, unless it’s at a kosher restaurant can be tricky!
Passover, overall, is a tough festival to ‘keep’ as it’s very demanding and laborious. When it is over, Jews usually go and get some pizza to eat as a treat!”
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Nafisa Nathani
EDI Project Manager, Communications, Employee Engagement – Network Rail
“In conversations around EDI, it is very interesting to me how intersectional identities such as those related to disabilities, class, religion are often overlooked. Religion, in particular, is not just overlooked, but often deliberately avoided. The truth is that talking about religion in the workplace can be tricky. It feels personal. It feels messy and something leaders might try and avoid. The sooner we can learn to account for religion in the workplace — with curiosity, intention, and kindness — the better off our workplaces will be. For many of our employees, religious belief is a core part of their identity. Understanding the things that matter to our people and providing the right support, helps everyone.
For Muslims across the world Ramadan is an incredibly important time. It's a time in the Islamic lunar calendar dedicated to worship, fasting, prayer, charity, community spirit and spiritual development. It is a time of personal growth, introspection, peace and humility. Ramadan is also a time to be charitable, a core tenet of the faith with more than £130 million on average donated annually to those in need. This feels at odds with how the Muslim faith is thought about in British society and portrayed via the media at large.
Many Muslims in the UK are growing up in a time in which the faith is portrayed as regressive and incompatible with western values. Up until 2003 Muslims weren’t protected from discrimination as a group under British law. Today, 45% of all hate crimes are now directed against Muslims which is frightening.
Long standing myths about the faith such as its propensity to violence and terror have been allowed to circulate and evolve in our societies unchecked. Young Muslims are now developing their identities in a climate of unparalleled hate, fear and stigmatisation. The fear that all Muslims are prone to radicalisation is completely at odds with the everyday reality of many of us actively practicing the faith. In truth, the only extreme thing about me is how late I return books to the library!
These attitudes, assumptions, and stereotypes seep into the workplace. Many of us unhelpfully make assumptions about religions we don’t understand. Muslims are the most misunderstood and misrepresented minority group unfortunately living in the UK today.
Talking about religion at work doesn’t mean engaging in theological arguments and debates. It can be about finding a common ground over our shared values. I’m proud to be British and my civic identity is absolutely compatible with that of my religion.
The Muslim faith is based on compassion, mercy, peace and tolerance which align with our British values such as commitment to democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faith and beliefs. As Muslims, we should feel free to develop our hybrid identities authentically.
Diversity or representation is only part of the battle. The real challenge lies in making people feel comfortable, safe, and seen at work.
In our workplaces we need to invite people from diverse religious backgrounds to share their identities in ways that feel honest and ultimately, help them build connections and feel a real sense of belonging. We desperately need to unite over our common humanity and shared values, particularly in an industry like the railway in which goodwill and trust have been fractured and teams pulled apart by the long-standing industrial dispute.
The truth is Muslims are not going anywhere. The globalised nature of the world guarantees this. I would ask everyone reading this to put in the effort with your Muslim colleagues. Be curious. Ask questions. Be a role model that not only builds bridges of understanding and cooperation between different cultures and religions but embeds solidarity and mutual respect into the culture of your team.”
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Zoe Vidion
Lead Sponsor – Transport for London
“What I have learnt about Ramadan
So, when most non-Muslims think about Ramadan – I think we tend to just think about fasting between sunrise and sunset. But did you know it is also a period of time to focus on how you can help others and be a better person. Such as volunteering, giving to charity etc.
I have always been in awe at the fasting element. I’m the girl that couldn’t even manage a 24hr sponsored fast in school for fear of fainting or simply being unable to ignore my growling stomach. Yet our Muslim friends and colleagues repeatedly do this for practically a month and still continue functioning like the rest of us; getting kids ready for school, going to work etc. When you really think about it, we should cheer them when they come into the office or give them a medal. But of course that isn’t the Muslim way.
All this was brought home to me from some recent conversations with Muslim colleagues during Ramadan.
So, I’ve always thought Muslims must hate when Ramadan falls in the summer months and love it when it falls in December – shorter days = shorter fasting duration. And they must really resent their colleagues scoffing their lunches at their neighbouring desks – right?!
But apparently not – they just accept it as it comes, and they wouldn’t want their practice to impact on the behaviour of others. Mind blown!
I was discussing this with my husband – because I couldn’t get my head around it. If Zoe was doing Ramadan (which she probably would fail on day 1 – see note above about 24hr fasting) it would be all about ME. How dare others be so inconsiderate to bring in treats to the office or eat their lunch near me. And when Ramadan falls during the shorter days – Result! And then my wise (non-Muslim) husband said “Yes, but you’re not thinking like a Muslim”! It got me thinking how much better would all our lives be if we all thought a bit more like a Muslim!”
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Many thanks to our contributors for their authenticity and honesty.
Together, let us embark on a journey that seeks to celebrate diversity, embrace faith, and foster a workplace where every individual feels a profound sense of belonging. By recognising and valuing the importance of faith, we can create a harmonious and inclusive environment that not only unlocks the full potential of individuals but also enriches the collective spirit of the organisations we serve.
If you would like to contribute to future pieces, please get in touch!
Women in Transport.