Germans are work-loving people who look with respect at immigrants and refugees entering the labour market. The wave of refugees in the past few years from the Middle East has marked a milestone in German society in learning about a new culture and other customs that came with the influx of an entire community (Syrian refugees), including fasting Ramadan with all its details and a completely different way of life from the days before the holy month.
Germany may have previously learned about Muslim customs and foods with the arrival of Turks and some Muslim immigrants, including students and workers, but the recent wave of refugees has made the Islamic presence more present.
Working in Germany, within the hours prescribed in the labor law, has a special sanctity for the people of the country, so how did the Germans deal with the fasting of Muslim expatriate workers? Does this affect production?
Mouti' Halawani: The company I work for reduces working hours for Muslims and makes appropriate plans to suit the month of fasting (Al Jazeera)
Freedom of belief without disturbance
Mouti' Halawani, a bus driver in the city of Kitzingen, Bavaria, told Al Jazeera Net, "Ramadan did not have an echo with the Germans at the beginning of our arrival to the country, as it seemed strange to them that a person refrains from eating and drinking for long hours that may exceed 15 hours a day, and after years of friction and daily dealing with us ... They got it, and they congratulated us on the arrival of the month of fasting."
"By virtue of my work, it is not easy during the month of Ramadan to drive a bus for long hours and distances, as this requires intense concentration and attention, which is taken into account by the company in which I work, as the number of working hours for Muslims has been reduced, and appropriate plans have been developed that suit the month of fasting," he said.
He added that the company granted him a week off at the beginning of Ramadan, and although the leave is usually taken at the beginning of the week, but in consideration of him, the company agreed to start his leave in the middle of it by Ramadan Thursday.
He says that the company has developed an action plan that suits him during the month of fasting, so that his work begins at noon and ends with the time of breaking the fast or shortly after, taking into account that he is not assigned to work on the weekend, knowing that work does not stop during it.
For his part, said Manfred Helbeck, a colleague confectioner in the company, for Al Jazeera Net "I avoid smoking in the month of Ramadan in front of my Muslim colleagues in times of rest, it is not my right to disturb others, as well as the need to respect the beliefs of my colleagues."
Ibrahim Dakhil: The company takes into account the conditions of Muslim drivers and treats us with the utmost respect (Al Jazeera)
Taking into account the conditions of Muslims in Ramadan
Irish Angel, personal officer of employees at the General Transport Company in Jena, Thuringia, told Al Jazeera Net, "It is the third year of the presence of Muslim drivers in our company, and we have an action plan that takes into account the presence of suitable breaks for everyone while driving. I think it's appropriate for Muslim drivers in Ramadan. If work and fasting times conflict, the driver can switch with another driver. If he is tired and cannot continue, he has the right to request a break."
Ibrahim Dakhil, a driver in the same company, confirmed what Irish said, and told Al Jazeera Net, "The company takes into account the conditions of Muslim drivers, and deals with us with great respect. I have approved the request for leave in Ramadan in recognition of the circumstances of the Muslim driver."
Emad Al-Hafez: Officials understand our privacy in Ramadan and allow us to break the fast (Al Jazeera)
We are respected and appreciated
Commenting on dealing within companies in Ramadan, Eng. Emad Al-Hafiz said: "I work for MAGNA, which specializes in manufacturing some parts for small cars in the city of Neuenstein in Baden-Württemberg, southern Germany. Here, we work three shifts 24 hours a day, which necessitates us to break our fast in the company in the afternoon shifts and the suhoor in the night shifts. The officials understand and appreciate our privacy, allowing us to take a break for breakfast, with full satisfaction and respect."
On the impact of fasting on the Muslim worker, he said, "Fasting does not affect work, but we may feel that it increases our ability and giving. This increases the other's admiration for the Islamic religion and its rituals."
Al-Hafiz pointed out that the German constitution provides for freedom of belief, and people are accustomed to respecting the religious practices of the other, "so we do not feel any harassment or dissatisfaction with the practice of our rites, and some even ask about how to fast, its hours and rituals."
Mike Lauder is surprised by the ability of a Muslim to fast for long hours while practicing 8 hours (Al Jazeera)
How do you follow orders issued 14 centuries ago?
Somar Sabbagh, a mechanical engineer in a German company, tells Al Jazeera Net, "I work daily 8 hours, as well as an hour back and forth. This raises questions from my colleagues about fasting, and the obligation to take it for granted. In general, working in German companies is based on respecting the privacy of the worker, and taking into account the circumstances he is going through. However, there are those who look at fasting with a kind of strangeness."
Mike Lauder, Sabbagh's co-worker, said, "I am surprised that a Muslim worker is able to fast for long hours while doing 8 hours of work."
"I asked Sommer about it and he said, 'I am a Muslim and my religion commands me to do so.'" "But I think it reduces the ability of the worker to work, and Germany does not recognize Islam as a religion."