Ramadan a time for your best protocol

The Life: Ramadan begins next week. The holy month is traditionally seen as a time when business slows down, but it should be viewed as an opportunity to call on Emirati decision makers, according to one cultural expert.

Amal Loring converted to Islam about five years ago and owns MindBody Dynamixs. Antonie Robertson / The National

Business usually slows down during Ramadan, which starts next week, but it is actually a good time to reach out to Emirati decision-makers and build relations. British-born Amal Loring, who converted to Islam about five years ago and owns MindBody Dynamixs, which advises people on stress management and cultural issues, explains why.

You say Ramadan is a good period to reach out to Emirati decision-makers. Why?

From a religious point of view, travel is discouraged, only absolutely essential travel [is permitted]. The reason for that is when you travel, ordinarily then it disrupts your prayer time and excuses you from fasting, so if you're travelling for a couple of days, you do have to make those days up after Ramadan. It really does mess Ramadan around for people. There are a lot of Emiratis in town, so therefore it is an opportunity to make sales visits, courtesy visits and call upon the Emirati decision-makers during the shortened workday.

So is it not seen as bad form to organise a business meeting during Ramadan?

No, not at all. The Prophet, peace be upon him, [said] you just carry on with your normal day. It should be your normal day wherever possible.

Should a western business hold an iftar or suhoor or would it be disrespectful?

It's not expected [but] it would be a nice gesture, particularly if a western company has a lot of expat Muslims from different parts of the world who might be away from their family. You will find a lot of Muslims and companies will take parcels to a mosque because people who are less fortunate congregate outside mosques.

Should you try to go to every iftar and suhoor you're invited to?

It's more a case of prioritising, because if you have senior locals, they get two or three a day for iftars. If they have a relationship with that organisation, it is more likely they will go, given that they have an existing relationship.

If you accept an invitation for a company iftar or suhoor, is it OK to speak about business?

It's a social thing. They might talk about, not high-level stuff. It's not a time to close a deal. That supplier is sharing in a very revered month, a month people look forward to the whole year.

So is it a good opportunity for expats to build good business relationships?

What is good for a non-Muslim to ask is what is Ramadan about. Why do you fast? What's the importance of it and what happens after? That's a common area for people to bond, basically.

* Gillian Duncan