The short answer
Muslims pray five times a day at set times, so a colleague may step away for ten minutes around midday and mid-afternoon and will appreciate a quiet space. During Ramadan they will not eat or drink in daylight; most do not expect others to change their habits, but scheduling a lunch meeting or offering coffee repeatedly is awkward. Friday midday prayer is especially important. Pork and alcohol are avoided, so a halal or vegetarian option at events is a kindness.
A little more context
Beyond that, people differ. Some shake hands with everyone; some prefer not to with the opposite sex, which is about modesty, not disrespect. Some wear visible religious dress; many do not. “Eid Mubarak” at the two festivals is always welcome. If you are unsure about anything, ask; a direct, friendly question is far better than guessing.
Sources & further reading
- Qur’an 62:9 The Friday prayer.
- Qur’an 2:183-185 Fasting in Ramadan.
- Qur’an 5:3 Dietary rules.
Original introductory summary, not a direct scripture translation. Prepared 21 October 2026. Qualified human religious review is pending. About our editorial approach.