Dear Readers.  May God Almighty’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.

We are proud to share the most read features and reports produced by DinarStandard in 2011.  Special reports on “Corruption in the Muslim Markets” took a special meaning given the incredible Arab Spring movement, and we covered the initial Egyptian revolution highlighting its business impact and relevance.  Other special reports included first ever listing of “Leading Business Schools in the OIC Countries,” and unique study on “Productivity in Ramadan,” “Global Food Security & OIC Markets,” and our benchmark “DS100: Top 100 Companies of the Muslim World.”

Other special topics most read in Islamic Finance, select corporate/ brand success stories, and halal/ Muslim lifestyle market are all highlighted below.

Thank you for reading DinarStandard.  Stay tuned for various special features and reports in 2012.  We ask for your continued prayers and look forward to your ideas, contributions, and sharing of our work with others.  Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Best wishes,

DinarStandard Media Editorial team

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SPECIAL REPORTS – MOST READ

• 50 Leading Business Schools of the Muslim World (OIC*) (see related Education Edition)

• Productivity in Ramadan: 2011 Survey Based Report (see related  Ramadan Edition)

• Corruption in Muslim Markets – Special Report (see related special Edition)

• State of Food Insecurity & Opportunities in OIC Countries

• Top 100 Companies of the Muslim World: 2010 DS100 Ranking

• Consumer Brands of the Top 100 Companies in the Muslim World (2010)

COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS – MOST READ

• Egypt: Egypt Revolution – Business Facts & Updates

• Pakistan: Football Industry Hub Sialkot Struggles Forward

• Qatar: Brand Watch: Qatar 2022 Bid Wins Big

• Turkey: Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists in Turkey

• Malaysia: A Doctor in the House: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammed

• Indonesia: Indofood: Indonesia’s Total Food Solution Company

Purpose: The purpose of this American Muslim consumer advocacy survey is to develop a fact-based voice of the community’s consumption needs by identifying:

• American Muslim consumers un-met lifestyle needs.

• Satisfaction with existing halal brands in the US (food, finance, others) as well as mainstream companies.

The survey closed on Oct 19, 2011

This study has now been released: American Muslim Market 2011: Business Landscape & Consumer Needs Study. An executive summary can be downloaded here.

More Questions? If you have any questions, please contact us at info@dinarstandard.com.

For the estimated 700+ million Muslim workforce globally,  the sacred month of Ramadan has tremendous impact on their work-life balance as well as their spiritual life.   A variety of productivity challenges are faced by the modern Muslim worker during Ramadan who tries to find the right balance between maximizing their spiritual focus as well as maintain their work-life balance. As a result, businesses and government agencies face many challenges during Ramadan to adapt to the modern Muslim workers’ demand and ensure consistent productive output from their workers during Ramadan.

Purpose of Study:  Develop a fact-based assessment of the state of productivity during Ramadan across the Muslim World and offer a framework for improving productivity during Ramadan for individuals, businesses and government institutions.

Next >>  Ramadan Study: Executive Summary

or, Download PDF Copy

Corporate Culture Changes

Al Islami imbues social and religious attachment to its work culture and guides its employees accordingly.  This guidance begins at the start of employment as every prospective employee is offered a contract that stipulates a modern Islamic work culture.  During the Holy Month, Al Islami advises its staff to adhere to internal cultural changes. It sets up a comfortable environment that encourages employees not to miss the fast without a valid Islamic reason, to perform timely obligatory prayers, and to give charity to their maximum potential.

The Muslim staff is not permitted to eat, drink or smoke during Ramadan, though non-Muslims are permitted to use concealed office spaces for lunch and tea breaks. Dressing conservatively is encouraged to respect the religious observances of others, and music is prohibited across the premises.

To celebrate the month, special food baskets are gifted to every employee, an elaborate and festive Iftar party is organized, and bonuses are allotted.  Additionally, office working hours are shortened to six:  8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Operational Changes

Ramadan is not only one of the most important months for the company’s marketing activities, but also one of the busiest. The company’s warehouse is operational round the clock, while regional distribution activities and production levels escalate significantly. Each Ramadan, Al Islami’s sales increase twenty to forty percent as compared to other months.  Laudable is the fact that the increase in demand is not owed only to individual and family consumption, but also to the immense number of charitable meals arranged and organized for the under-privileged.

Ramadan-focused events

Every year, Ramadan brings a healthy sense of competition amongst food companies.  For its part, Al Islami introduces various marketing and theme-based promotions to boost its sales by beefing up its distribution activities and focusing on unique, Ramadan-specific product offerings. Ramadan-specific gifts and special discounts reward consumers, while special meals for iftar and suhur are also available.

As a leader in the halal segment, the company takes on the social obligation to educate the general public about the process of halal meat and the inherent difference between halal and “real halal.” This year, the company has launched the ‘Shine This Ramadan’ promotional campaign to create focused awareness about the practice of electric stunning on animals during the slaughtering process.  Stunning is a common practice in the food industry while “real halal” slaughtering is performed without stunning. Al Islami is educating its consumers on various slaughtering practices, and informing them that the company evades all methods of stunning and deploys a hygienic hand-slaughter method. Al Islami employs representatives at slaughterhouses and abattoirs around the world.

Mr. Saleh Abdullah Lootah, Managing Director of Al Islami

Mr. Saleh Abdullah Lootah, Managing Director of Al Islami, comments: “In the Ramadan period, Al Islami reinforces its positioning as the real halal food producer. Al Islami offers healthy, high quality and nutritional halal food to its consumers.”   He adds: “This year we have launched “Shine This Ramadan”, a special marketing campaign targeting the Arabic and Muslim women. With Al Islami products, our consumers cook delicious dishes that make a mother, the star of the family.”

Al Islami Foods believes in leading by example. The company successfully manages to blend its religious obligations in its work culture, offering a healthy corporate and social environment which reflects the sanctity of the Holy month.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

KEY FACTS:

• Operating with the motto “The Halal everyone loves!” Al Islami Foods is a trendsetter in the GCC’s processed halal food market.
• It received the ‘Highly Commended Best Halal Food Company’ award at the prestigious Gulfood Awards 2011.
• The Al Islami Group is the parent company of Al Islami Foods International, Al Islami Foods UAE, Al Farooj Fresh Restaurant, a casual fast-food restaurant and Al Islami Cart, a food kiosk and for franchising.
• More information about Al Islami Foods may be found here. 

In Malaysia, few changes in working hours take place from year to year. In general, the public sector closes offices an hour earlier, and in the corporate world, changes are at the discretion of the employer.

For Bernama TV, Malaysia’s twenty-four hour international news and current affairs station, things are a little different.  Government-owned Bernama does not shut down to allow its staff to arrive home before iftar. Ramadan has no impact on signal transmission, nor upon the organizational hours of Bernama, which has been in operation since 2008.  “Twenty-four hours means that there are people working around the clock,” says hard-worked editor Zulkifli Othman, who doubles as a producer of the network. “For operations staff there is no change to working hours.”

Breaks for the five obligatory prayers are built into the system, and since there are no major time changes across Malaysia, prayer times remain consistent throughout the year. However, some Ramadan-centric factors do affect the staff.

The crew on duty must accommodate their observance of Ramadan around the scheduled broadcast deadlines, adhering to suhoor, iftar and tarawih prayers should they fall during an employee’s work hours. This happens automatically and conscientiously, however, so the normal pace of a dynamic news room is not altered from the culture practiced during the rest of the year. After twenty years of experience in the media industry, Othman does not believe that Ramadan affects productivity of the team in any other way. Work remains work, which is also an important part of worship. Worship can always continue without shirking the responsibilities of one’s job and organization.

“Having said that however,” he continues, “Muslim support staff such as those in the administrative department and those who attend to the news library are given shorter working hours, as their meal breaks are also shortened.”

While keeping attentive around the clock may be cumbersome for some, many Muslims step up on productivity, making Ramadan even more worthwhile, as the Holy Month is well-endowed with blessings.

“During Ramadan,” Othman continues, “tarawih prayers are held in the prayer-room and is always well-attended. Other than that, [outside] corporations usually sponsor iftar meals at the cafeteria on most days of the month.”

To establish camaraderie between the staff and that no one on the reel is left out, Othman adds, “Non-Muslims are always welcomed to join us for the breaking of the fast.” Thirty percent of Bernama’s employees are not of the Islamic faith.

Even with work, suhoor, iftar and tarawih running into each other at the station, Bernama TV manages to provide additional opportunities for the spiritual welfare of the team. For those who wish to participate in ibadah-camps while at work, the station has its own Religious Affairs Department that holds special talks on religion during the fasting month.

Despite the challenges inherent in running a round-the-clock news station, Bernama TV manages to strike a keen balance between work and worship, blending Ramadan smoothly into its fast-paced work culture.

Concentrating on the Halal-ness of a Business

According to Abdullah ibn Masud (ra), Prophet Muhammad (saws), said: “Seeking halal earning is a duty after the duty.”  In other words, earning halal wages and profits is itself a religious obligation, second in importance after primary religious obligations such as prayers, fasting and hajj.  Success is not just about turnover and profit and loss ratios; it is about seeking the pleasure of Allah. As Muslim business owners, we must ensure that all elements of our business are halal in order to benefit from the full barakah of business.  Obviously, contracting to purchase goods containing alcoholic beverages, or purchasing shares in an interest-based bank is not permitted. However, where an investment is made in a company with a mix of permissible and impermissible activities, contemporary scholars have said that the investment is halal if the impermissible element constitutes less than five percent of turnover, and that the owner must give away any impermissible profits to charity.

Abu Bakr al-Marudhi narrated to us that he heard a man say to Imam Ahmed (rahimahullah), “My earnings are adequate for me.” He said, “Stick to the market, maintain your ties of kinship and spend on them.”  In this statement, Imam Aḥmed advises the man to move beyond his adequate lifestyle by encouraging him to seek increase in his business.  In this way, he can earn more halal income, freeing himself to fulfill other important obligations such as maintaining his family ties and using his extra earnings on his direct and extended family, actions most encouraged in Islam.

Fulfilling Zakat during Ramadan

Unlike the basis of an individual’s zakat obligation, zakat on business is levied on stock and cash, and not on goodwill, capital equipment, or property. A business owner takes into account the business’s debts, liabilities, and accounts receivable when calculating business zakat.

A business owner’s zakat obligation includes his personal and business zakat.  There tend to be three main areas that are subject to zakat for the CEO: gold and silver, cash, and business assets (which include shares, pensions, home purchase plans and properties). The payment of zakat purifies the business and individual and is a right of the poor on the wealthy.  Failure to pay zakat is a major sin.

Treatment of Employees

The Prophet Muhammad (saws) said that on the Day of Judgment, he will be against the one who does not pay the right wages to his employees after their work.  Muslim employers, especially, have an obligation to take care of their staff, provide a suitable work environment, and ensure that employees are fully compensated for their work. During Ramadan, working with the required effort and dedication and looking after one’s employees will be rewarded even more, insha Allah.
Employees, furthermore, are required to work with diligence and dedication. “Work, because Allah, the Prophet, and the Believers will witness your work” (Qur’an 9:105).  If we work hard, the work will act for us as a witness when we most need it!

Lastly, here is a reminder for both CEOs and their staffs about intention.  Incredibly, Islam rewards a person for things as mundane as earning a living and running a business.  The companions of Prophet Muhammad (saws) saw a man and were astonished by his hard work and industry. They lamented: “If he were only doing this much work for the sake of Allah …” Muhammad (saws) replied:  “If he is working to support his small children, then it is for the sake of Allah.  If he is working to support his elderly parents, then it is for the sake of Allah. If he is working to occupy himself and keep his desires in check, then it is for the sake of Allah. If, on the other hand, he is doing so to show off and earn fame, then he is working for the sake of Satan.”

So as you reflect on your role as a Muslim CEO during Ramadan, remember that the success of your business is only from Allah, and the more you praise Allah, the more success you will attain for this world and the next, insha Allah.

——

Saiyyidah Zaidi is the founder of Working Muslim.

Working Muslim has produced two Ramadan guides for organizations and employees. These are aimed at improving the dialogue between non-Muslims and Muslims in the workplace and enabling constructive discussions to take place. The guides have been downloaded by over one thousand people and are available from www.workingmuslim.com

This groundbreaking study presents a fact-based assessment of the state of productivity during Ramadan across the world and offers recommendations for improving productivity of individuals, businesses and government institutions.  The study includes 1), a survey that benchmarks actual Ramadan practices and Muslims’ expectations, and 2) an assessment of governmental policy implications on work-hour differences in various Muslim majority countries and their resulting economic impact.

The survey was conducted online between June 28, 2011 and July 10, 2011, prior to Ramadan 2011, and marketed to Muslims in five key Muslim-majority countries (Malaysia, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and UAE) as well as five countries with sizeable Muslim minorities (USA, UK, India, Canada, and Australia).  A total of 1524 responses were received, representing a 99% confidence level with a +/- 4% margin of error.

Select insights & recommendations for Individuals

• Key areas of spiritual activities that most Muslims struggle with were highlighted (reading Qur’an regularly 66%, focusing during worship 53%, Taraweeh attendance 47%, others), suggesting a need for Muslims to better prepare for Ramadan.
• 77% of fasting Muslims would like to keep their work productivity the same.  However, the reality is that they undertake added spiritual activities during Ramadan (attend Taraweeh prayers 52%, others) and physical energy levels are low.  This again supports the need to prepare for Ramadan as well as to reprioritize regular activities in order to accommodate one’s Ramadan needs.

Insights & recommendations for Employers

• 77% of survey respondents said they try to maintain the same level of work productivity during Ramadan and feel that work should continue uninterrupted.   However, increased spiritual activity is to be expected and should be accommodated, especially for work that requires a severe physical demand.
• For OIC[1] (Muslim majority countries) based employers, the survey highlights areas in which they can improve efforts to support employees during Ramadan and productivity (e.g. arranging  Iftar gatherings, Eid gatherings, and Eid gift-giving and arranging for special Ramadan working hours, prayer times and facilities.)
• Although commendable, non-OIC[2] based employees were less happy with their employers’ flexibility during Ramadan compared to OIC based employees (48% vs. 74%).  Area in which Non-OIC based employers can improve their efforts included setting special Ramadan working hours.

Insights & recommendations for OIC member governments

• Although a detailed analysis of economic impact should be undertaken by each government, the economic impact assessment in this study shows that the economies suffer roughly 4% in monthly GDP per hour of work reduction per day.
• Some key questions for governments to evaluate:
  • Is a two hour reduction necessary?
  • Is a mix of one hour reduction and one hour adjustment optimal, as generally practiced in Indonesia and Malaysia?
  • Do hour reductions generate the desired increase in spiritual connectivity, or do they have an adverse effect (e.g. laziness, apathy, etc.)?
  • Does a segmented approach need to be considered, i.e., work flexibility, for certain type of physical labor?

Next >>  Ramadan Study: Religious Context

or, Download PDF Copy

[2] Countries with minority Muslim populations

Goto: Table of Content, or

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Insights & recommendations for governments:

• Governments in many OIC countries set the tone for productivity across all institutions within their countries.

• Our work-hour analysis shows a few different approaches of some OIC countries, which opens the question as to which models are most effective in delivering the right balance of work productivity and employee satisfaction.

• Although a much detailed analysis of economic impact would have to be undertaken to fully understand the complexities of Ramadan work reduction and adjustment, the economic impact assessment in this study shows that the economies suffer roughly 4% in monthly GDP per hour per day of work reduction.

• Undoubtedly, no dollar value can be placed on spiritual gains and divine blessings of increased worship during Ramadan, but the fact that there are different approaches to work-hour reduction and adjustment does suggest that governments should evaluate whether their Ramadan policies maintain the right balance of work responsibility and spiritual flexibility during Ramadan.

• Some key question for governments to evaluate:
  • Is a two hour reduction necessary?
  • Is a mix of one hour reduction and one hour adjustment optimal (as practiced generally in Indonesia and Malaysia)?
  • Do hour reductions generate the desired increase in spiritual connectivity, or do they have an adverse effect (e.g. laziness, apathy, etc.)?
  • Should a segmented or other flexible approach be considered, for example, for certain types of hard labor?

Next >> Ramadan Study: Expert Commentary

or, Download PDF Copy

Goto: Table of Content, or

Download PDF Copy

Insights & recommendations for employers:

• The study provides beneficial insight on how employers can support Muslim employees in honoring their religious requirements.  This attention is expected to result in employee goodwill as well as productivity improvements.

• It is clear from survey responses that most Muslims fast, and those who fast do see an increased level of spiritual activity for which the respondents value employer flexibility.

• An important insight from this survey is that most survey respondents (77%) say they try to maintain same level of work productivity during Ramadan and feel that work should continue uninterrupted.  Also, although there are no specific religious injunctions on reducing work hours, increased spiritual activity is to be expected and accommodated.  Reduced or flexible scheduling is especially important for work that requires severe physical labor.

• For Muslim majority OIC  based employers specifically:

• Most OIC based employees (74%) said they were happy with their employers’ flexibility during Ramadan.   At the same time, over 25% have higher expectations of their employers.
• The survey highlights areas in which OIC based employers can improve their efforts to support Ramadan and productivity.  These include:
• Organizing Iftar and Eid gatherings and gift-giving, and
• Arranging for special Ramadan working hours, prayer times and facilities. (Special hours may not necessarily mean a reduction of hours but an adjustment with consideration to key prayer times and Iftar.)
• Be aware of the activities Muslims are striving for to achieve spiritual excellence (e.g. reading the Qur’an regularly, praying at a mosque, giving extra in charity etc.).  Perhaps special programs can be created to facilitate these efforts.
• While a majority (61%) of respondents from OIC countries said their company’s productivity does not suffer during Ramadan, a sizeable 26% said their company’s productivity unnecessarily suffers.  This should be a cause for companies to evaluate their practices and policies.

• For Muslim minority non-OIC based employers:

• Contrasted with OIC based employees, non-OIC based employees were less happy with their employers’ flexibility during Ramadan (48% vs. 74%).   Although commendable that a good percentage of Non-Muslim majority based companies do accommodate for Muslim needs, the gap does present HR departments within these companies’ opportunities to engage with their Muslim employees to impact not just goodwill but productivity.
• As mentioned earlier, most Muslims during Ramadan expect to be as productive as they would be at any other time.  However, the survey results show that they engage in added spiritual activity which reduces physical energy.  Any accommodation of this reality is expected to increase goodwill and productivity.
• The survey highlights areas in which non-OIC based employers can improve their efforts to support Ramadan and productivity.  These include:
  • A big percentage of non-OIC based respondents (49%) expressed desire for employees to set special Ramadan working hours. (Special hours may not necessarily mean reduction of hours but an adjustment—for example, providing an early start and an early end to the workday.) 25% of the respondents stated that their employers provide special working hours.
  • 38% also expressed an interest in special prayer time or facility.
  • Additional, but less prioritized requests include activities such as organizing Iftar and Eid gatherings.

Next >> Ramadan Study: Recommendations (for Governments)

or, Download PDF Copy

Goto: Table of Content, or

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Context:

• In this study we have looked to develop a fact-based assessment of the state of productivity during Ramadan and offer recommendations for improving productivity for individuals, businesses and government institutions.

• To provide productivity recommendations, we have, 1) conducted a survey to determine actual Ramadan practices and expectations of Muslim workers, and 2) looked at Ramadan work-hour differences in various Muslim majority countries and its resulting economic impact, and to suggest areas of Ramadan productivity improvements.

Insights & recommendations for Individuals

• The survey provides fasting Muslims with practical insights on how to improve their spiritual productivity.  They are indeed in strong company, as most of the Muslims participating in the survey fast during Ramadan (98% respondents) and strive to improve their spirituality. (While 18% were very satisfied with their Ramadan spirituality from 2010, 65% had hoped to have done better, and 17% were disappointed.)

• The survey results highlight areas of spiritual activities that most Muslims struggle with (reading Qur’an regularly 66%, focusing during worship 53%, Taraweeh attendance 47%, others) and highlight the need for Muslims to better prepare for Ramadan.   This preparation could include planning and pre-scheduling the personal and professional activities for the month of Ramadan, as well as physically preparing for fasting prior to the start of Ramadan.  Websites such as ProductiveRamadan.com and other such resources provide valuable tips and guidelines in this regard.

• Most fasting Muslims would like to keep their work productivity the same (77%).  However the reality is that there are added spiritual activities that Muslims undertake during Ramadan (attend Taraweeh prayers 52%, others) and physical energy levels are low.  This again supports the need to prepare for Ramadan as well as to reprioritize regular activities to accommodate Ramadan needs.

Next >> Ramadan Study: Recommendations (for Employers)

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