As many as 86.8% professionals in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region agree that Ramadan is one of their favourite times of the year, a latest survey has revealed.
Dedicated to reflection, restraint, generosity and unity, the holy month draws families and friends together to share and reflect, according to the Bayt.com ‘Ramadan in the Middle East Workplace’ poll.
More than half (53.7%) of Mena respondents feel that they socialise more than usual with their colleagues during Ramadan. In keeping with a heightened morale and a more sociable atmosphere at work, a slightly higher percentage (56.3%) of Mena professionals believe that there is a noticeable increase in their company’s charitable activity during Ramadan.
With a favourable workplace atmosphere during the holy month, responses are fairly evenly split when it comes to taking time off from work. A total of 53.7% of respondents said they do not take time off during Ramadan and 46.3% said they do at least occasionally. Just over half (56.9%) of respondents said they travel on the Eid break while the rest (43.1%) do not.
Ramadan sentiments of illumination and compassion are evident in Mena professionals’ personal lives as well. The vast majority (96.1%) of respondents said they use Ramadan to reflect on their life and become a better person, and almost as many respondents (94.9%) said they personally give more to charity during the holy month.
More than eight in ten (81.1%) Mena professionals felt they see more family and friends during Ramadan and a slightly higher number (83.1%) believed their lifestyle habits are healthier for the month
Data for the poll was collected online from May 17 to May 29. Results are based on a sample of 3,660 respondents. Countries that participated include the UAE, Bahrain, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Tunisia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.