9 things you should avoid saying to a fasting coworker during Ramadan

While most questions regarding Ramadan are OK, insisting a coworker eat or drink can be offensive, Hooper said, though he said this happens rarely.

Similarly, some Muslims may feel uncomfortable joining a mandatory lunch meeting. Inc. suggests asking your coworker what he or she prefers, and Hooper suggests rescheduling the time of work-related lunch meetings.

You can also say "Ramadan Kareem," which means "have a generous Ramadan," according to USA Today, and some Muslims refer to the holy month using the Persian term, "Ramzan." 

"Not even water?" has even become a favorite meme among Muslims during Ramadan, given how common the response is from non-Muslims who learn about the practice.

Just remember that Muslims abstain from all food and drink during daytime, and they use predawn and post-dusk time to hydrate.

Sami Rahman, a writer for The New Arab, said one of the most condescending remarks non-Muslims can make is saying fasting "isn't safe" and that Muslims are "starving themselves." 

"This is probably the most condescending remark because it's said so flippantly," Rahman wrote in an article. 

Fasting can reduce a person's chances of developing long-term health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis, Insider's Hilary Brueck reported. 

Plus, many Muslims use the holy month to re-center prayer and religion in their lives. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, the ritual, community, and moral teachings many religions provide improve mental health. 

Not only can it be distasteful to say fasting is unhealthy, Rahman said telling Muslims they'll "lose weight" is missing the point of Ramadan. 

"Yes, there are studies to show fasting can help aid weight loss, but that's not why we do it," Rahman wrote for The New Arab. "A seemingly positive statement like this might sound fine but again, it undermines the sanctity of Ramadan by implying there are only superficial benefits to doing it."

Most fasting coworkers don't expect accommodations, but having a conversation with someone observing the holiday can ease the work burden, Hooper said. For instance, you can offer more work-from-home days or let employees who work through lunch leave an hour early.

One negative side effect of fasting for long hours is halitosis, or bad breath that comes from eating infrequently. As the day goes on, many Muslim coworkers might choose to keep their distance or keep quiet. Adham El Banhawy, a blogger at Medium, says not to take offense.

"If you do happen to come across that smell while you are interacting with them, try not to embarrass them by pointing it out to them or to others behind their backs in a critical way," El Banhawy wrote. 

Muslim women don't fast when they are on their periods. There are also other reasons why Muslims don't fast, including illness and travel. If you notice a coworker who normally fasts but is abstaining, it's best not to nudge them unless they bring it up themselves.

The month of Ramadan tends to be a social one. Muslims go to their mosques more often and host dinners called iftars with friends and family to break the fast. At the end of the month, many households partake in celebrations for Eid al-Fitr. 

Offering to come to an iftar dinner can be a great way to observe the holiday. The online human-resources publication HRZone even suggests using an iftar as a way to learn more about your coworker's culture: "Try and use Ramadan as a platform for greater understanding and improving team dynamics," the website says. "Why not throw an iftar one evening and allow people to share a part of their lives with colleagues?"