Muslim lady leaving work help with gifts

[Thatswhathappens]

My really good colleague is leaving tomorrow and she is Muslim, I have got her flowers, milk tray and some fenty make up (mascara and eye shadow) am just checking this is ok please? I’m going to miss her so much!!

@VladmirsPoutine

Some ingredients or items might not be appropriate for other cultures or religions that might not immediately occur to everyone.

But the people within those cultures are all different. Some muslims enjoy a drink whilst others wouldn't touch a drop whereas others swear by a bacon sandwich and others wouldn't dare eat pork. Surely if they're amazing friends/colleagues the OP would know what would or wouldn't work for her friend.

Why? It’s her work colleague, not necessarily a best buddy that she knows everything about. It’s easier to just avoid anything that might be a problem.

I think OP is asking a reasonable question and the gifts are such lovely gestures. Prior to working with my Muslim colleague, have to admit I know little about the culture and would offer Haribo to him not knowing it has gelatine that he prefers to avoid. Never even crossed my mind! We both just laughed that off and no one was offended

I have never met a Muslim that was offended over being offered something they don't eat. This isn't a thing.

These threads are always so cringe worthy.

Can I send my Muslim neighbour a Christmas card? If you want!

Can I take my Muslim neighbours some chocolates for Eid? If you want!

Muslims are human just like everyone else. The myth that they are constantly offended by the British culture (that they share and are apart of!) is rightwing nonsense.

@emsmar really is something in the water lately.

(Oh no, now someone will comment on my post with "you know some people don't have access to water, so how can you be so flippant?")

I wouldn't be sure that chocolates were OK having previously worked with a Muslim colleague who only ate certain biscuits because of the ingredients and I'd imagine the same could apply to make up, so I think it was a fair question.

Surely it's not that OP is over scared her colleague will take offence, but that she wants to give gifts she can enjoy.

My Muslim colleague would have thank you profusely for the "wrong" biscuits then given or thrown them away.

@CrinklyCraggy

I wouldn't be sure that chocolates were OK having previously worked with a Muslim colleague who only ate certain biscuits because of the ingredients and I'd imagine the same could apply to make up, so I think it was a fair question.

But what if the colleague were vegan? Or all manner of other things.

I wouldn’t give a Muslim colleague chocolates with alcohol in them as I know she doesn’t drink. Mostly just avoid the obvious issues.

Some Muslims drink alcohol, OP may not know. How about flowers? perhaps a bit boring! The make up sounds lovely. I’m sure she will love whatever you get.

But what if the colleague were vegan? Or all manner of other things.

Then you'd know not to get them chocolate

@CrinklyCraggy

I wouldn't be sure that chocolates were OK having previously worked with a Muslim colleague who only ate certain biscuits because of the ingredients and I'd imagine the same could apply to make up, so I think it was a fair question.

Was she particular about ingredients for religious reasons or because of other reasons such as allergies/vegan etcI can’t imagine biscuits having problematic ingredients from a religious sense and I’m quite strict with that side of things.

Muslims are allowed to have likes/dislikes that are independent of the religion. Best to ask the person directly than assume it must be a religious thing because of what someone else told you.

Honestly if you are close enough to choose make up though for your Muslim colleague you’d have an idea of what they do or don’t do. I can’t imagine being brave enough to pick out something intimate like that for a colleague.
And again, it’s always Muslims. The subtext I get is ‘I read the Daily Mail and it tells me Muslims are really fussy and prickly’ OR as a pp says ‘I’m so inclusive i socialise with Muslims’. It’s weird.

@Thatswhathappens
It was because she only ate halal and there was (apparently)an approved list. I think probably animal products were the issue as it seemed to be cheaper ones that were OK.

[quote CrinklyCraggy]@Thatswhathappens
It was because she only ate halal and there was (apparently)an approved list. I think probably animal products were the issue as it seemed to be cheaper ones that were OK.[/quote]
Interesting I’ve never heard of an approved list. I know there are lots of things floating around the internet about certain brands not being suitable for vegetarians therefore not halal but not an approved list. I can imagine that would be a long list rather than a short one as most biscuits I’ve come across (not just cheaper ones) will say on the pack if they’re suitable for vegetarians so most Muslims I know accept that as being fine as long as they don’t contain alcohol and I don’t know any that do contain alcohol. When I was dairy free, biscuits were a problem then and when I had gestational diabetes it was really restrictive but many mainstream Muslims that I’ve come across don’t think twice about the well known brands you find in supermarkets as long as they have the V sign. Sometimes Muslims are strict about food but won’t have a problem with make up ingredients as they’re not eating them. Some Muslims also care about ingredients being tayib and not just halal ie being ethically raised/farmed (inc things like palm oil etc) so it can get complicated which is why I think it’s best to cover the common ingredients and not worry about the rest as then gift buying will become an unnecessary burden unless you know the person personally and aren’t afraid to ask them.