Does anybody have any ideas what my work place could buy someone who is due to leave soon?  I know silk items and items with gold are out.  Can anyone give me any advice?

Does it need to be a religious gift or could you get him something which relates him to beyond his faith?

I only ask this because I've never thought about someone's religious beliefs when buying a leaving gift, does that make sense?

What does he do in his spare time, like hobbies. What's his next job? Could you get something in prep for that?

I'm not sure I'd want to be going to down the line of buying something which is religious unless someone has asked for it, I'd not feel comfortable for any faith doing this..
Hope this makes sense :-)

It s a bit more than just religion as the culture also has an impact on the type of gifts.

This seems a good source of information and looks like anything goes apart from a few things which makes sense.

http://muslim-academy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=1979

Cow hide under pants wouldn't be a very good idea !

Lol, a lot does depend on how important his religion is to him if you know what I mean..

I know a lot of people who are say Jewish but don't practice and wouldn't worry about anything..

You know this person as to whether he would want a lovey gift to use for his personal life, new job life or something else.

I mean a gift voucher, food, pens, briefcases etc have all been given here.

Religion often doesn't need to come into it, I hope that makes sense. Not saying to disregard his faith, but present buying can be easy once you know someone's likes and dislikes, except in the case of my father ;-)

Think I understand what PDEA means - you would not for instance buy a Muslim an ornamental pig made of gold or a bottle of alcohol  but just what would be considered suitable I do not know, as he is a work mate an not family or close one assumes that clothing or anything personal would not be suitable - is it possible to phone his wife or a family member? Or if there is a shop in the town they may be able to help or even accosting someone and asking.

He is deeply religious and also reading on the internet there are a number of things you cannot give, such as items made of silk and items with gold running through them..... 

Ahh well in that case it does change things a lot then..

Do you know what his interests are or what his next job role will be?

I think if you need to play it safe then a gift voucher covering many shops would surfice, that's what id do anyway..
Does he like sport or support a particular team? Maybe something along those realms?

Could you do something personal from his team, like photos of everyone into a photo book or a framed photo of you all together?
I'd also think what you'd normally buy someone leaving and then look to see if appropriate

Does any of that help?

One of our last big leaver was given a season ticket for the local football team, a signed shirt from all the players, a team night out where I took photos and then got them into a photo book for him.
I know booze is out but we also got a bottle of fine whiskey.

Is he having a leaving do of any format?

Thanks everyone.  He's actually going back to Pakistan and maybe Saudi.  We ended up getting a nice leather wallet and putting money in :)