Over a billion Muslim brothers and sisters worldwide will commence fasting from tomorrow (May 17) for a month.

Read also: The relevance of Ramadaan

Herewith some advice on how a non-Muslim should react to their Muslim friends during Ramadaan:

1. You CAN eat in front of them. For the next 30 days, Muslims around the world will abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t carry on your business as usual.

2. Try not to schedule a work lunch. If your Muslim co-worker takes a pass, understand.

3. You don’t have to fast with them. However, you can if you want to see what it feels like.

4. You CAN join them for Iftaar, which is the breaking of fast after sunset. They like to make a big communal meal.

5. Please be a little flexible. How we determine when Ramadaan begins is decidedly old-school; you have to physically see the moon. That’s why, if your Muslim co-worker says, “Starting tomorrow, can I start work early so I can leave sooner?”, try to accommodate.

6. They will still go for coffee with you, but no, they can’t drink. Not even water.

7. Please understand why they may keep their distance. One word: Halitosis. You try not eating or drinking the whole day. That’s why they are standing a foot away from you when you talk.

8. You can say “Ramadaan Mubarak”. It means “Happy Ramadaan”.

9. Please don’t say “I should fast too, I need to lose weight” – Ramadaan is not about that.