En gruppe i det britiske kommunaldepartementet har laget en liten brosjyre om hvordan ikke-muslimer skal opptre overfor muslimske kolleger under ramadan. Man bør ikke spise i fullt påsyn av muslimer, heter det.

Det står ikke noe om drikking, eller visuelle fristelser.

De fleste mennesker vil instinktivt ta hensyn, men trenger det gjøres i skriftlige regler?

A five-page advice booklet tells civil servants that eating lunch near a colleague who is fasting can make them feel hungry.

The Home Office Islamic Network produced the advice which said: «In practical terms, please be sensitive when eating lunch near a Muslim colleague who is fasting.

«This can make an individual feel hungrier and make it more challenging to observe the fast.»

It also urged Home Office managers to be flexible over working hours because Muslims may be following a different routine during Ramadan, which finished this weekend.

«The most likely need Muslim staff may present to managers during this period is for flexibility around working hours and break times as those fasting will have a slightly different routine from usual. Managers and Muslim staff should discuss what their needs are and be responsive and sensitive,» the document said.

Managers were also told: «Muslim staff who are fasting and whose environment allows it may wish to set out for work earlier than usual and finish their working day correspondingly early…in line with flexi-time arrangements.»

During the holy month devout Muslims do not drink or eat from dawn until sunset and, according to the document, must avoid ‘all obscene and irreligious sights and sounds’.

The Islamic Network is one of a number of staff faith and equality groups within the Home Office and paid for by the taxpayer.

Home Office told: ‘Don’t eat in front of Muslims during Ramadan’