As an interested onlooker to this question, I'd just like to say thanks
to both Deb and Hifsa for such detailed information.  I've found it
really useful.

Best,
Helen

Helen Murdoch
Equality and Diversity Manager
The Registry, Room 3.11
University of East Anglia
Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ

Tel:  01603 591898
Email:  [log in to unmask] 

>-----Original Message-----
>From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list 
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of IQBAL Hifsa H
>Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 2:43 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Question on religion
>
>Hi 
> 
>In response to the queries:
>
>Those who adhere strictly to the laws of Islam will not be 
>alone with a member of the opposite sex at any time. However 
>she should not refuse to share with a female.
>
>Eid is a time for families and many women find it particularly 
>difficult if they have children who are at home on Eid. 
>Personally, I have never worked on Eid and this has never been 
>an issue. Once Ramadan starts we know it will be one of two 
>days. However, my husband works most years - but goes in late 
>having performed the Eid congregational prayers at the mosque 
>(a must).  I think, again, it depends very much on the job 
>you're doing. I know a number of lecturers at Staffs and 
>doctors who always go back to work after prayers on Eid and 
>celebrate with family and friends in the evening and at the weekend.
>
> Prayer times vary throughout the year and there is always a 
>substantial time period during which the 5 prayers can be 
>read. For example, the 2nd (lunch time prayer) currently can 
>be read between approx 1.15pm and 5.00pm, the next prayer can 
>be read from when this period ends until 7.45pm (when the next 
>pray time begins).  So really there should be no need for her 
>to leave a pre-arranged meeting to say her prayers - unless of 
>course its a particularly long meeting!
>
>Having said this, in winter all three of these prayers have to 
>be read between approx 1pm and 4pm when the days are much 
>shorter. However if someone is working and not able to say the 
>prayers at the correct time, there is a facility within the 
>faith to perform the prayer late. 
>
>Basically, there are no reasons why prayer times should 
>impinge on her working day as, with a bit of proper time 
>management I would think she should be able to fulfil the job 
>requirements and get her prayers in at the correct time. 
>
>It might be an idea to get a hold of a local timetable from 
>the nearest mosque if you can. I've attached one for Stafford 
>which will give you an idea of how the times work (with a 
>glossary of terms used!). 
>
>Bit of a long email - but hope it helps!
>
>
>Hifsa
>Mrs Hifsa Haroon-Iqbal
>Equality and Diversity Officer
>
>
> 
>
>________________________________
>
>_____________________________________________ 
>
>We have a new female member of academic staff who is Muslim, 
>and we are not sure which of her requests is reasonable in 
>terms of religious observance.  The issues emerging are ones 
>that have not arisen before; we have female admin staff of the 
>Muslim faith, and male academics who are Muslim.
>
>The following issues have emerged so far with the new member of staff: 
>
>She is currently placed in a shared office with a male 
>academic - she is asking for a single room for religious 
>reasons.  This is difficult but not completely impossible, but 
>it will have an adverse impact on other members of staff.  We 
>could, however, arrange for her to share with a female staff member. 
>
>She has informed her line manager she can undertake no 
>teaching at all on Eid - other colleagues have never raised 
>this as a problem. 
>
>She has left meetings, including one-to-one meetings with her 
>line manager that have been arranged especially for her, in 
>order to go to the prayer room - I know there are specific 
>prayer times, but I am not sure when they are, and there are 
>concerns that this may impinge on her teaching and other commitments. 
>
>
>Obviously we want to accommodate all reasonable requests, but 
>these are issues neither I nor anyone in the School has 
>encountered before.  
>
>Please can you advise? 
>
>Many thanks 
>
>
>
>
>
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