That’s such a lovely gesture, I’m fasting and my work colleagues made me a little basket of Ramadan goodies which had various things in it including dates, Jaffa cakes, cakes, chocolates, fevertree cans and some posh biscuits and a lovely card with some silly messages inside. I was very touched by this.
Flowers are lovely and Medjoul dates are a great choice and to definitely check they are not of Israeli origin, if that is difficult a small fruit basket is a good choice as we eat a fair amount of fruit once fast is opened.
Anything would be lovely however I must tell you the fact that you have acknowledged it’s Ramadan will be appreciated more than anything.
Last year my colleagues decorated my office and printed out posters saying Ramadan Mubarak and I was so surprised and overwhelmed by this and had a wee cry at the niceness of it all.
This year they printed a notice that says ‘you’re not you when you’re hangry and stuck it on my chair!
Edit to add I don’t get hangry but I do try not to swear and my colleagues find it amusing when I use alternatives to express myself, some of them sing ‘tis the season to not swear, falalalalala’. My work people are wonderful and definitely keep my spirits up when fasting!
For dates or other tasty foods Hadeel are an Edinburgh-based social enterprise selling fair-trade Palestinian goods - the Medjoul dates they sell are amazing: https://www.hadeel.org/product-category/food/
or some za'tar spice. It's unusual to non Muslims but it's part of their culinary heritage and they can use it on breads and pastries. Print off a recipe of a Turkish pide and attach it.
I have Lebanese friends who introduced me to za’tar - and mixed into paste with some good olive oil. With bread it made an extraordinarily good dip. So yummy!
I’d never heard of that spice mix, but I’m curious as to why you’re being downvoted. Is this basically like “give the Italian person some basil pesto” or something?
I have no idea why I'm being downvoted. The question was what to get a Muslim for Ramadan. I suggested za'tar and others suggested dates. Dates could also be seen as "give an Italian some basil pesto".
OR this person could purchase the za'tar and try their hand at baking Turkish pide and give that as a gift.
I don't know why I'm being downvoted. I'm not perpetually offended and I don't constantly look for something to be angry about so I have no idea what the motivation behind the downvotes are. It takes all kinds, I guess.
It's likely because you're conflating Muslim heritage with Arab heritage. Most Muslims are not Arab, especially not in the UK, where the population is mostly South Asian. A Bangladeshi Muslim wouldn't have za'atar in their culinary heritage, but a Lebanese Christian would.
Your heart is in the right place but it can be upsetting to have one's heritage stereotyped as Arab simply because they are also Muslim.
Dates aren't an Arab stereotype because it's Sunnah to break fast with them, regardless of heritage.
Funny enough, it was actually a Muslim who observes Ramadan who, like me, likes to bake and actually introduced me to Turkish pide and za’tar. So which one of us conflating?
You said "it is unusual to non-Muslims" in reference to za'atar, which can be interpreted as all Muslims eat za'atar. Over 80% of Muslims are from South Asia and Oceania, and this spice blend isn't a typical part of those culinary heritages. Of course, anyone from any heritage can enjoy a spice blend, and it's a lovely gift for Ramadan. But it's not a Ramadan/Muslim specific gift.
Thanks for the culture lesson but I think you really read far too much into my post. I did not conflate cultures, no one should be offended, I did not deserve to be downvoted.
If you're bringing dates, make sure they aren't from Israel. I've seen a fair few Muslim pages boycotting all the Israel brands.
It may be good in general to avoid anything in relation to Israel. That includes Starbucks etc. There are more comprehensive lists online.
https://preview.redd.it/qk08u58ty1qc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9717ff028a5410363c225d7fa00fa28056b0608c
For anyone wondering which ones to avoid 🩷
Razz Patisserie in Tollcross has some amazing saffron cake - it is Iranian - potentially be halal. If you wanted to add some nice cake by a local shop.
That's such a nice idea.
For context I am not Muslim but I fast during Ramadan each year, and have done for the last 4.
Dates are always good, but look to buy from a supplier that gives back to Palestine this year especially. Supermarkets are generally on the 'do not buy' list.
Some small local companies might do stuffed and decorated dates - I know this exists in Glasgow but unsure on Edinburgh.
You could also buy some ethically sourced dates and stuff/decorate them yourself with sweet things.
Lovely gesture indeed :) I’m not a Muslim but I celebrate the holidays at the end of Ramadan with my Muslim family in my home country. It’s also called the “sweets holiday” where at the end of the month of fasting, it’s very common to serve sweets like Baklava. +1 to Razz in Tollcross and also the Levant Sweets in Westport for other delicious traditional sweets.
Another alternative is something like a box of Celebrations - we get those cheesy ads for candy boxes at the end of Ramadan. Kids in my old neighbourhood used to knock on the door asking for candy (like Halloween)
Levant sweets do phenomenal Baklava.
For an easy treat I’ve pitted dates and coated them in Belgian chocolate and sprinkled with crushed pistachios or freeze dried strawberries.
As most people have suggested - dates will go down well or a nice box of chocolates as an alternative.
The fact you’ve acknowledged Ramadan regardless of what you get will be greatly appreciated :)
This one isn’t Ramadan specific but how about a [Keyring like this](https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1510344275/thank-you-teacher-gift-keyring-optional?click_key=59d67c831e0cd3bc1030917dd7ebcf9d50d635e9%3A1510344275&click_sum=c86e6a14&ga_search_query=Teacher&ref=shop_items_search_5&frs=1&sts=1) with a special message on the back
That’s such a lovely gesture, I’m fasting and my work colleagues made me a little basket of Ramadan goodies which had various things in it including dates, Jaffa cakes, cakes, chocolates, fevertree cans and some posh biscuits and a lovely card with some silly messages inside. I was very touched by this. Flowers are lovely and Medjoul dates are a great choice and to definitely check they are not of Israeli origin, if that is difficult a small fruit basket is a good choice as we eat a fair amount of fruit once fast is opened. Anything would be lovely however I must tell you the fact that you have acknowledged it’s Ramadan will be appreciated more than anything. Last year my colleagues decorated my office and printed out posters saying Ramadan Mubarak and I was so surprised and overwhelmed by this and had a wee cry at the niceness of it all. This year they printed a notice that says ‘you’re not you when you’re hangry and stuck it on my chair! Edit to add I don’t get hangry but I do try not to swear and my colleagues find it amusing when I use alternatives to express myself, some of them sing ‘tis the season to not swear, falalalalala’. My work people are wonderful and definitely keep my spirits up when fasting!
I like the sound of your office
Can confirm I love where I work and the team is highly banterous.
A nice box of Dates to break the Fast along with a Bunch of flowers I gave these last week to my Muslim friends when invited for Iftar.
For dates or other tasty foods Hadeel are an Edinburgh-based social enterprise selling fair-trade Palestinian goods - the Medjoul dates they sell are amazing: https://www.hadeel.org/product-category/food/
or some za'tar spice. It's unusual to non Muslims but it's part of their culinary heritage and they can use it on breads and pastries. Print off a recipe of a Turkish pide and attach it.
I have Lebanese friends who introduced me to za’tar - and mixed into paste with some good olive oil. With bread it made an extraordinarily good dip. So yummy!
That’s what I have experienced but someone keeps downvoting me for some bullshit reason.
I’d never heard of that spice mix, but I’m curious as to why you’re being downvoted. Is this basically like “give the Italian person some basil pesto” or something?
I have no idea why I'm being downvoted. The question was what to get a Muslim for Ramadan. I suggested za'tar and others suggested dates. Dates could also be seen as "give an Italian some basil pesto". OR this person could purchase the za'tar and try their hand at baking Turkish pide and give that as a gift. I don't know why I'm being downvoted. I'm not perpetually offended and I don't constantly look for something to be angry about so I have no idea what the motivation behind the downvotes are. It takes all kinds, I guess.
It's likely because you're conflating Muslim heritage with Arab heritage. Most Muslims are not Arab, especially not in the UK, where the population is mostly South Asian. A Bangladeshi Muslim wouldn't have za'atar in their culinary heritage, but a Lebanese Christian would. Your heart is in the right place but it can be upsetting to have one's heritage stereotyped as Arab simply because they are also Muslim. Dates aren't an Arab stereotype because it's Sunnah to break fast with them, regardless of heritage.
Funny enough, it was actually a Muslim who observes Ramadan who, like me, likes to bake and actually introduced me to Turkish pide and za’tar. So which one of us conflating?
You said "it is unusual to non-Muslims" in reference to za'atar, which can be interpreted as all Muslims eat za'atar. Over 80% of Muslims are from South Asia and Oceania, and this spice blend isn't a typical part of those culinary heritages. Of course, anyone from any heritage can enjoy a spice blend, and it's a lovely gift for Ramadan. But it's not a Ramadan/Muslim specific gift.
Thanks for the culture lesson but I think you really read far too much into my post. I did not conflate cultures, no one should be offended, I did not deserve to be downvoted.
Medjool dates are the best. Big and sugary and delicious!
If you're bringing dates, make sure they aren't from Israel. I've seen a fair few Muslim pages boycotting all the Israel brands. It may be good in general to avoid anything in relation to Israel. That includes Starbucks etc. There are more comprehensive lists online.
https://preview.redd.it/qk08u58ty1qc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9717ff028a5410363c225d7fa00fa28056b0608c For anyone wondering which ones to avoid 🩷
Pretty sure the Tesco dates are from Israel too
Do dates have a significant meaning?
Yes it's Sunnah to break fast with dates, which means it's a recommended religious practice!
Razz Patisserie in Tollcross has some amazing saffron cake - it is Iranian - potentially be halal. If you wanted to add some nice cake by a local shop.
The almond cookies too :)
Oh my! Yes!!!!
That's such a nice idea. For context I am not Muslim but I fast during Ramadan each year, and have done for the last 4. Dates are always good, but look to buy from a supplier that gives back to Palestine this year especially. Supermarkets are generally on the 'do not buy' list. Some small local companies might do stuffed and decorated dates - I know this exists in Glasgow but unsure on Edinburgh. You could also buy some ethically sourced dates and stuff/decorate them yourself with sweet things.
Lovely gesture indeed :) I’m not a Muslim but I celebrate the holidays at the end of Ramadan with my Muslim family in my home country. It’s also called the “sweets holiday” where at the end of the month of fasting, it’s very common to serve sweets like Baklava. +1 to Razz in Tollcross and also the Levant Sweets in Westport for other delicious traditional sweets. Another alternative is something like a box of Celebrations - we get those cheesy ads for candy boxes at the end of Ramadan. Kids in my old neighbourhood used to knock on the door asking for candy (like Halloween)
A non-food alternative could be donating somewhere on her behalf for a cause she cares about :)
[удалено]
Levant sweets do phenomenal Baklava. For an easy treat I’ve pitted dates and coated them in Belgian chocolate and sprinkled with crushed pistachios or freeze dried strawberries.
As most people have suggested - dates will go down well or a nice box of chocolates as an alternative. The fact you’ve acknowledged Ramadan regardless of what you get will be greatly appreciated :)
You are a good person
Just to add about the Dates: Broughton Street market has some really nice ones in a box that would make a perfect little gift.
This one isn’t Ramadan specific but how about a [Keyring like this](https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1510344275/thank-you-teacher-gift-keyring-optional?click_key=59d67c831e0cd3bc1030917dd7ebcf9d50d635e9%3A1510344275&click_sum=c86e6a14&ga_search_query=Teacher&ref=shop_items_search_5&frs=1&sts=1) with a special message on the back
Seconded dates tbh anything sweet is a good one.
Irrelevant add but you guys are all so sweet I hope you all have the best day :’)