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Workplace & school toolkit

Practise your faith at work and school — politely and confidently

Copy-and-send letters for prayer breaks, Jumu‘ah, Ramadan hours, Eid leave, halal food at events and your child’s school — in English, Hindi and Urdu.

Ready-to-send letters you can copy, fill in and send by email or on paper. Choose a language, replace the words in [brackets], and keep it friendly — most managers and teachers are happy to help when they understand what you need.

Asking for a short prayer break at work

Subject: Request for short prayer breaks during working hours

Dear [Manager’s name],

As a practising Muslim, I pray at set times during the day. Two of these prayers usually fall within my working hours. Each prayer takes about 10 minutes.

I would like to request:
• a short break of about 10 minutes at these times, which I can make up by [starting earlier / staying later / taking a shorter lunch];
• if possible, a quiet, clean place where I can pray — an empty meeting room is enough.

This will not affect my work or deadlines, and I am happy to plan breaks around meetings and busy periods. Thank you for considering my request.

Kind regards,
[Your name]
[Team / department]

Asking for time for Friday (Jumu‘ah) prayer

Subject: Request for time on Fridays for congregational prayer

Dear [Manager’s name],

Every Friday, Muslims attend a short congregational prayer (Jumu‘ah) at the mosque around midday. Including travel, I would need about [60–90] minutes, usually between [time] and [time].

I would like to request this time each Friday. I can make it up by [working later on Fridays / starting earlier / adjusting my lunch break], and I will make sure Friday meetings and urgent work are covered.

Thank you for your understanding.

Kind regards,
[Your name]

Asking for adjusted hours during Ramadan

Subject: Request for adjusted working hours during Ramadan

Dear [Manager’s name],

Ramadan is expected to begin around [date] and last 29 or 30 days. During this month I will be fasting from dawn to sunset.

To stay productive, I would like to request one of the following for the month:
• starting at [time] and finishing at [time], keeping my full hours; or
• working through my lunch break and leaving [30/60] minutes earlier, so I can break my fast at home; or
• working from home on [days], where my role allows.

My work and availability for important meetings will not change. I am happy to discuss what works best for the team.

Kind regards,
[Your name]

Asking for leave for Eid

Subject: Leave request for Eid

Dear [Manager’s name],

I would like to request leave on [date(s)] for Eid [al-Fitr / al-Adha], one of the two main Islamic festivals. The exact date depends on the sighting of the moon, so it may move by one day — I will confirm as soon as it is announced.

I will finish or hand over my urgent work before the leave, and [colleague’s name] has agreed to cover [tasks].

Thank you,
[Your name]

Asking for halal food at an office event or conference

Subject: Halal food at [event name]

Dear [Organiser’s name],

Thank you for organising [event name]. I would like to attend and wanted to ask about food in advance.

As a Muslim, I eat only halal meat and avoid pork, alcohol and dishes cooked with alcohol. Could you please:
• arrange halal-certified meat dishes, or a clearly labelled vegetarian option;
• label dishes that contain pork, gelatine or alcohol;
• keep serving spoons separate where possible.

If it helps, I can suggest local halal caterers. Thank you for making the event welcoming for everyone.

Kind regards,
[Your name]

Letter to your child’s school (prayer, fasting and Eid)

Subject: [Child’s name], [class] — prayer, Ramadan and Eid

Dear [Class teacher’s name],

Our child [child’s name] of class [class] is learning to practise Islam. We would be grateful for your support with the following:
• Prayer: if a prayer time falls during school hours, could [he/she] have about 10 minutes and a quiet corner to pray?
• Ramadan: [child’s name] may fast on some days. Please allow [him/her] to rest in the library or classroom during lunch, and to skip strenuous sports if [he/she] feels weak.
• Eid: [child’s name] will be absent on Eid [al-Fitr / al-Adha], expected on [date]. The date depends on the moon, so we will confirm the day before.

Please contact us at [phone] if you have any questions. Thank you for your care.

Warm regards,
[Parent’s name]

Good to know

  • Ask early and in writing. Before Ramadan or a new job is the best time. Keep a copy of the reply.
  • Offer a solution. Show how the time will be made up — most requests are agreed when work is not affected.
  • Finding a place to pray. An empty meeting room, a quiet corner or a clean stairwell landing is enough. Carry a travel prayer mat. Check the prayer-room finder for offices, campuses, stations and airports near you — and add your own.
  • Wudu at work. A small bottle and a towel help; many people make wudu at home before work. For questions about combining or shortening prayers, ask a scholar you trust — ask a scholar through Sukon.
  • Prayer times for your city are on Today and prayer times worldwide.
  • If a request is refused and you feel you have been treated unfairly, speak to HR or your union first. This page is general information, not legal advice.