Minding our Manners

How can we show respect for Muslim members of our community? How can we be truly welcoming neighbors to our brothers and sisters from all over the world? Below are some things to consider as we build relationships.

Body language
  • Be considerate of personal space: many Muslim men or women are not comfortable with someone from the opposite sex standing too close. 
  • Many Muslims are uncomfortable hugging or shaking hands with adult members of the opposite sex. One recommendation is for a man to place his open hand on his heart and lower his gaze as a sign of respectful affirmation. This would be equivalent to the old American custom of a man tipping his hat to a woman.
  • Beckoning ‘come here’ with the palm upwards or pointing to a person or object with your index finger, hand or foot is offensive to some Muslims.

Greeting and Goodbye
  • Try greeting a Muslim with "Assalamu-alaikum," which is "Peace be upon you" in Arabic. Or, if someone greets you in this way, respond, "Wa-alaikum salam" which means "And with you also."

Dress and Appearance
  • The Islamic dress code prescribes modesty for men and women.
  • The wearing of head coverings like the hijab are common. Wearing niqab (face covering) by Muslim women is not obligatory but practiced by some.  

Food, drink and fasting
  • If possible, organize food to be halal permissible for Muslims to eat or drink under Islamic Shariʻah (law) if hosting Muslim guests. Muslims do not eat pork or pork products, which includes gelatin. Fish and seafood are acceptable, but other meats need to be purchased from a halal market.
  • Islamic tradition does not allow the consumption of alcohol. This includes foods and sauces where the alcohol has been “cooked out.”
  • During Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from the break of dawn to sunset. 
  • To find approved meat for a gathering, try googling "halal market" with your zip code. 

Eye contact
  • Some Muslim women may not make direct eye contact with members of the opposite sex out of respect and modesty.

Photographs
  • At events where photographs or video footage is being taken, prior permission should be obtained.

Right vs. Left Hand
  • Islam teaches the functional division between the right hand and the left hand.
  • The functions of the right are to give and take, to eat and drink, to shake hands and wave. Using the left hand for these purposes is offensive.
  • The functions of the left hand are to remove dirt and wash after using the toilet. Using the right hand for these purposes is offensive.

Family
  • In Islam, the strong bond between parents and children is expected to be maintained. Children are not expected to live on their own until they are married. 

Medical
  • Where possible, female doctors should be made available for consultation and treatment of Muslim women, and male doctors for Muslim men.
 Adapted from An Everyday Resource, a list compiled by Sarah Kretschmann of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota with reference to the “Culture and Religion Information Sheet- Islam” published by the Government of Western Australia. From My Neighbor Is Muslim.

Photo: Interfaith meal at George Washington University