Ramadan Guidance

Fasting is an integral part of many faiths. Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. For Muslims, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year where Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset for 29 or 30 days and show extra kindness to those who are less fortunate; it is a month of special blessings, love, and care for others.

Young children, pregnant women, the old, the sick and travellers are examples of those who are exempt from fasting.

Muslims believe that the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Mohammad during the month of Ramadan. For many Muslims, Ramadan is much more than abstaining from eating or drinking during daylight hours. It is meant to be a time of spiritual discipline of deep contemplation of one's relationship with God, extra prayer, increased charity and generosity, and intense study of the holy Quran. Thus, aside from fasting, Muslims observing Ramadan also increase in spiritual devotional acts such as prayer, giving charity and strengthening family ties. Muslims are also encouraged to share their food with friends, family and neighbours and to reach out to those who may be fasting alone, to share their Ramadan experiences.

Most Muslims will awake before dawn to eat a meal called ‘suhoor’ and then break the fast at sunset, known as ‘iftar’. Many Muslims will also pray the five obligatory prayers throughout the day but also engage in extra nightly prayers known as ‘Taraweeh’ (these are prescribed for Ramadan only) which are usually performed in a mosque (in congregation) and can last typically between 1 and 2 hours.

Ramadan this year will fall on either 18th or 19th Feb 2026 and will last for 29 or 30 days. The fasts will be from around 5:15am-5:45pm.

After the 29 or 30 days of fasting (depending on the moon), Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the celebration to mark the end of Ramadan. Normally, the day starts with communal prayers and involves visiting relatives and friends and exchanging gifts.

• Be mindful of any evening programmes or events conflicting with iftar (the meal to break the fast).
• Understand that student’s engagement with teaching and learning may be affected.
• Offer to follow up any 1-1 meetings with an email outlining the key points of the session (memory retention can be affected when fasting).
• The Muslim Council of Britain have released some guidance for NHS staff which maybe relevant to some students on placements. 

• Allow students time to pray in between lectures.
• Be mindful that students and staff may need to take breaks in events.
• Note that some students and staff may be more observant in this month.

• Observing Ramadan may not be noticeable so make it easy for your team members to let you know if they are fasting and how it is affecting them.
• Fasting can affect people in different ways. For example, some people may understandably become a little quieter or slightly tired at times, even though most staff have fed back that their productivity increased after the first few days.
• Dignity and respect from managers and colleagues are helpful and expected. Be aware that fasting colleagues will not even be drinking any fluid (including water) and they may therefore feel less energetic.
• Colleagues who are fasting will not expect others, who are not observing Ramadan to do the same, so please don’t feel anxious about making a cup of tea for the team or eating your lunch. However, please be sensitive by not continually offering them a piece of cake!

• Acknowledge the coming of Ramadan and Eid by wishing students and staff 'Ramadan Mubarak/Happy Ramadan' or 'Eid Mubarak/Happy Eid'.
• Cultivate an open culture of understanding of the challenges of the month but also celebrating its blessing and importance for Muslims. 
• Check in on student and staff wellbeing.
• Some staff and students may endeavour to practise their faith more during the month and wish to offer prayers in the day. This will be during the hours of 12:30pm - 5pm. It is helpful if these requests can be treated with respect and sympathy.

Some of the month of Ramadan will fall over the spring break and we have created some hints and tips for Muslims students to keep well during the month, whilst preparing for exams. 

Revision

• Start revision early
• Take regular breaks from your screen 
• Get some fresh air
• Try revising at different times of the day
• Nap in the day when you can

Nutrition

• Pack in the protein
• Avoid overindulging at iftar
• Drink lots of water between iftar and suhoor
• Limit the fried and sugary foods
• Avoid salty food (they can make you thirsty)

Spiritual and well-being 

• Set some realistic goals for Ramadan
• Remember that your work/study can be an act of worship with the right intention
• Work hard and then pray for your success (this is the month of acceptance)
• Stay positive
• Get outside when you can
• Don't be afraid to ask for help

Muslim Council of Britain - Ramadan Guidance 2026 

Supporting our Muslim colleagues during Ramadan 2024, East London NHS Foundation Trust (containing information and resources to line managers and staff) 

Muslim Council of Britain guidance for NHS staff - Ramadan Health Factsheet 2026 -