Canada: Federal Guide Recommends Prayer Spaces, Cultural Considerations for Muslim Employees
The Managers’ Guide To Supporting Muslim Employees outlines religious considerations in the workplace and emphasizes accommodations for one of the federal public service’s largest employee networks, Western Standard reported on Sunday.
Amira Elghawaby, the cabinet’s Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia, expressed support for the initiative, acknowledging the Muslim Federal Employees Network’s role in government offices.
"My office was pleased to collaborate alongside the Network on a new course on Islamophobia now available for all federal public servants," she said.
The Guide notes that Islam does not permit physical contact between opposite genders unless they are closely related or married. It also highlights that Muslims pray five times a day, with up to three of these prayers occurring during standard work hours.
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“Prayer must be performed within allocated time periods, which vary daily,” it states, adding that performing ablution with clean water is a prerequisite.
To support religious observance, the Guide recommends designating quiet, clean, multi-faith spaces that are free from images of people or animals.
Employees are responsible for bringing their own prayer mats.
“Each prayer break can typically take between 10 to 15 minutes,” it specifies.
Managers are encouraged to be aware of the changing dates of Islamic holidays, as they follow the lunar calendar, and to consult employees regarding leave requests.
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The Guide also suggests offering workplace meals that include halal, vegetarian, or seafood options.
The document advises managers to learn about Islam directly from Muslims rather than relying on media or political sources.
“By taking action to remove systemic barriers and eliminate biases, you will help Muslim public servants improve their working conditions considerably,” it concludes.
Source: Agencies
