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Welcoming Ramadan 2022

Ramadan is one of the holiest months of the Islamic calendar. This year, Ramadan will be from 2/3 April to 2/3 May 2022 (depending on sighting of the moon).

With COVID-19 restrictions now mostly removed across the UK, Ramadan 2022 will mark a return to the usual practices normally observed during Ramadan for British Muslims after a two year hiatus. Ramadan 2022 will see British Muslims going to the mosque for iftar (evening meal that breaks the fast) and taraweeh (special night prayer), and visiting friends and family.

This web page contains guidelines, advice and signposting to resources designed to help Muslims in Britain make the most of the blessed month, whilst exercising caution in the face of yet another rise in COVID-19 infection rates. It also provides key information for friends, neighbours and colleagues of Muslims.

Scroll below for more information or click here to download MCB’s Ramadan Guidance 2022 (PDF) in full.

For Mosques and Islamic centers preparing to host British Muslims across the UK safely, all COVID-19 guidance and resources remain available here: www.mcb.org.uk/coronavirus

1. What is Ramadan?

O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain Taqwa (God-conscious)” [Quran 2:183]

Muslims around the world fast during daylight hours, meaning they abstain from eating, drinking or engaging in sexual relations for the duration of their fast. Young children, pregnant women, the old, the sick and travellers are examples of those who are exempt from fasting.

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.

Ramadan 2022

2. Why fast?

Fasting plays an important role in many major world religions and is a central feature in all the Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In Islam, Muslims, who are able to, are required to fast during the month of Ramadan and are recommended to fast at other times of the year too. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. A key objective of fasting increase in taqwa (closeness to / consciousness of God), and to engender a sense of gratitude, self-discipline and self-improvement, at both an individual and community level, which Muslims are encouraged to continue throughout the year.

At an individual level, fasting encourages us to feel an affinity with the poor across the world who have little or no food to eat, whilst for our own bodies, scientific studies have shown that fasting provides several health benefits and forms of intermittent fasting have been incorporated into several diet regimes. At a community level, the breaking of fast meal (iftar) at sunset encourages families and local communities to share their meal together, whilst charity work in local communities typically increases during Ramadan.

3. Is Fasting Harmful to Health?

If you are healthy with no pre-existing conditions, there is no evidence to suggest fasting is harmful to your health provided you are adequately eating and hydrating in non-fasting hours.

Some studies suggest there may even be health benefits from fasting. For those who usually drink caffeine through tea or coffee, the lack of caffeine can bring on headaches and tiredness. However, this will reduce as the body adapts to going without caffeine during the day. Due to the timings of meals before dawn and after sunset, adjustment to new sleeping and eating patterns may also lead to some people feeling more tired than normal.

If you have pre-existing health conditions and would like more information on whether it is advisable for you to fast, please consult the British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA)’s Ramadan Hub: britishima.org/ramadan

Alternatively, contact BIMA on: [email protected] 

Ramadan 2022

4. Impact of COVID-19

Ramadan 2020 & 2021 were a very different experience for Muslims, as communities adapted to changing circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with public health guidelines. 

This Ramadan, with government restrictions all but removed, we will be able to return to our pre-2020 Ramadan routines. It is important, however, to understand that the pandemic is not over; COVID-19 infection rates remain high, new variants are routinely discovered, and this is likely to continue to have a disproportionate impact on ethnic minority communities, the elderly and clinically vulnerable. We should remain cautious whilst partaking of communal activities and enjoying the spiritual uplift and community spirit that Ramadan in synonymous with.

All of MCB’s COVID-19 resources, including previous safety guidances, are available at: www.mcb.org.uk/coronavirus

5. Adapting for Ramadan

If you are unable to partake of communal activities as a family, or simply dealing with time constraints & pressures, for example, consider the following: 

  • Streaming Islamic lectures or taraweeh in your home, either pre-recorded or live.
  • Arranging virtual iftars with loved ones and community members through the many online video calling facilities available. 
  • Planning your iftar menus in advance so that you can limit multiple shopping trips given social distancing measures.  
  • Hydrating well for the long fasting days. Dehydration can lead to tiredness, headaches, lack of focus/concentration. 
  • Eating high energy, slow burn foods for suhoor (starting your fast).
  • Remaining energised throughout the workday, especially as we can experience heightened levels of anxiety during these times. 
  • Taking regular breaks to reflect and take time for yourself. Life can be full, and we try to fill it with more worship during Ramadan. We all want to pray more and this can help with anxiety but it is important to be good to yourself – sometimes it is quality over quantity.
Ramadan 2022

6. Maintaining Physical Health

Individuals with an illness or health condition where fasting could be detrimental to their health are exempt from fasting. The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) have created a peer reviewed document that brings together a range of literature reviews around how medical professionals can advise patients whether to keep or terminate their fast. Please note, clinicians must exercise discretion based on each individual patient’s circumstances.

A wealth of resources for Muslims and the medical community on issues pertaining to health during Ramadan, are available at: britishima.org/ramadan.

Also available for medical healthcare professionals and patients is the MCB’s Ramadan Health Factsheet 2022 (PDF) (pictured below).

Ramadan 2022

7. Fasting and Vaccinations

Although COVID-19 vaccination rollout, for doses 1 and 2 and the subsequent booster, has now tapered, British Muslims from the following demographics are still eligible for COVID-19 vaccination: 

  • Aged 12 or over, doses 1 and 2 of vaccine  
  • Aged 16 and over, and some children aged 12-15, booster dose 
  • People aged 12 and over who had a severely weakened immune system when they had their first 2 doses, will be offered a 3rd dose and a booster 

Visit the NHS COVID-19 vaccination website for more information on vaccine eligibility and availability.

The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) have consulted a wide range of Islamic scholars and the opinion of the vast majority is that receiving a vaccine does not invalidate your fast. So, if the need arises, you should be able to get vaccinated during daylight hours.  

Please consult your local Imam or scholar for further details, or visit the BIMA vaccination hub: www.britishima.org

Ramadan 2022

8. Mental Health in Ramadan

Muslim mental health organisations have documented an exponential rise in demand for their services since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has transpired despite the general lack of conversation around mental health in British Muslim communities.

The restrictions that have kept us apart during Ramadan 2020/21 have now been removed, and we are set to be able to partake of communal activities such as physical iftarsand taraweehprayers in our Mosques. This may well help alleviate feelings of isolation and disconnect. That said, the toll the pandemic has taken on mental health remains, and (re-)socialising in Ramadan for those impacted by mental health illnesses can prove especially difficult.

Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, several Muslim mental health organisations in the UK have come together to collaborate and provide a range of initiatives for British Muslim communities nationwide.

For more information & support, please visit MCB Mental Health.

Ramadan 2022

9. Working from Home

Working from home, and hybrid flexible working arrangements are the new norm. While this may have several benefits and provide ease in some ways to those fasting, it can also provide some new challenges. Consider the following:

  • Ensuring you are taking regular breaks from work for rest and reflection – perhaps around salaah(prayer) times
  • Starting your day earlier if you are permitted to so that you can finish earlier and have some down time prior to iftar
  • Giving your employer and colleagues advance notice that you will be fasting
  • Sharing Ramadan with colleagues by having a conversation or sharing what you’re doing for it, what food you’re preparing, and what the month means for you
  • Honouring your workplace duties with patience and good grace to those around you
  • Taking a break if you find yourself frustrated or tired

Employees who are fasting may ask to take their lunch or breaks at a different time to accommodate prayers, breaking their fast, or to enable them to finish work earlier. Employers may be justified in refusing such a request if this conflicts with legitimate business needs which they are unable to meet in any other ways. However, if they are unable to objectively justify such a refusal, this could amount to unlawful indirect discrimination.

Ramadan 2022

10. Studying from Home

Much like working from home, studying from home with limited in-person interaction with teachers/lecturers and classmates, has its own challenges. Fasting may tire you out further, and dehydration is often a factor in reduced focus and concentration. Much like with working from home, consider:

  • Giving your school, university, student advisor or professors advance notice that you will be fasting.
  • Ensuring you are taking regular breaks from studying for rest and reflection – perhaps around salaahtimes. Set yourself a study timetable.
  • Taking into account salaah and iftar times, as well as class lecture times, when structuring your day.
  • Starting the day earlier if your timetable allows you to so that you can finish earlier and have some down time prior to iftar.
  • Sharing Ramadan with classmates and friends by having a conversation about Ramadan, or sharing what you’re doing for it, what food you’re preparing, and what the month means to you.
  • Honouring your studies and commitments with patience and good grace to those around you. Should you find yourself frustrated or tired, take a break.
Ramadan 2022

11. Iftars at Home

We all eagerly await the opportunity to invite family and friends for iftar this year and share in the blessings of Ramadan together. It is vital, however, that we continue to be cautious and take small steps to reduce the possibility of COVID-19 transmission, including: observing hand hygiene, increasing ventilation within the home, using masks when on public transport or at the shops, for example, and testing regularly if you’re routinely in contact with larger groups of people, or working on the front line. This is especially important if living as part of a multi-generational household including elderly members of the family and/or those with pre-existing health conditions, who remain particularly vulnerable.

Ramadan 2022

12. Virtual Iftars

Although we are able to host in-person iftars this Ramadan, another way to connect with friends and loved ones, from far and wide, is to host a ‘virtual iftar’, or join a community-based event such as this online.

Individuals or families can join together via video conferencing facilities like Zoom, FaceTime or video-calling apps like Skype or WhatsApp. This is an important way for individuals to stay connected, especially for those who are living alone or away from family, or those who continue to be unable to meet in large groups due to health concerns.

Many campaigns have hosted virtual iftars, and produced resources to facilitate such online events. The Ramadan Tent Project’s ‘(Virtual) Open Iftar’ is one such initiative. For more information, visit: www.ramadantentproject.com.

Ramadan 2022

13. Ramadan & the Cost of Living Crisis

Although it is typical for families to stock up on products for meals during the month of fasting, we should remain conscious of the difficult circumstances we all face coming out of the pandemic, the strain on supply chains and the rise in living costs, be it food, fuel or energy.

Please ensure that we only purchase in reasonable quantities, which will allow everyone to acquire what they need. Also, per the spirit of Ramadan and the teachings of our beloved faith, do not hesitate to provide support to those within our communities struggling to observe the holy month, or indeed our neighbours within the wider community who may also be struggling.

Ramadan 2022

14. Charity: Donating & Volunteering 

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another except that Allah increases his honour, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises his status.” (Muslim)

Ramadan is also a month of giving, be that financially to charity or physically in service to others. Whether it’s to local causes such as a food bank run by your local mosque or community centre, or supporting causes alleviating poverty abroad, giving charity does not diminish our wealth, it multiples it.

  • Donating Safely – it is important to ensure your chosen charity is reputable and genuine. In addition, as a result of the COVID19 pandemic, online donation is all the more common. It is important to be vigilant of insecure websites, scams or spam emails seeking donations.
  • For those interested in donating online, see Muslim Charities Forum’s (MCF) ‘How to Give Smart and Give Safe this Ramadan’ guide. If you are involved in running a charity, please see the guide to ‘Ethical Considerations for Muslim Charities.’ To download both these resources, visit: www.muslimcharitiesforum.org.uk 
  • #BeSafe when donating this year. Take MCF’s Donor Assessment Quiz to identify your donor personality type. Go to: bit.ly/mcfquiz.
  • Volunteering Safely – Although COVID-19 restrictions have been removed this year, infection rates remain high across the UK, so it is important that we remain conscious of this whilst being of service to our communities during Ramadan. There are so many ways to help the most vulnerable around us; for top tips on staying safe whilst doing so, see the Muslim Charities Forum’s Practical Guide on how to Keep Safe when Volunteering During the COVID-19 Crisis.
Ramadan 2022

15. Sharing Ramadan in Society

Use this opportunity to share your faith and your fast with your neighbours, friends and colleagues, be they Muslim or otherwise. This Ramadan, we may well open our mosques, centres and homes to the community with some precautions. We can also continue to find creative ways to share our traditions and practices with the wider community and local residents.

Here are some suggestions:

  • Let people know about Ramadan by sharing this guide
  • Put a Ramadan banner on your front door to let neighbours know you’re observing Ramadan
  • Offer to help your neighbours with any shopping they need, especially those who are elderly or infirm
  • Publish Ramadan information in your neighbourhood newsletter or local newspaper
  • Encourage your children to speak to their friends about Ramadan, how they celebrate the month and what it means to them
  • Talk about what Ramadan means to you with colleagues and classmates while working or studying from home
Ramadan 2022

16. Advice for Mosques & Prayer Facilities

  • COVID-19 infection rates remain very high across the UK; we encourage Mosques to remind their congregations of the importance of being cautious when attending iftar or taraweeh prayers
  • Display posters reminding congregants of simple things they can do to reduce the spread of infection. For example/template posters you can adapt, please visit www.mcb.org.uk/coronavirus
  • While Mosques may well return to serving iftar on their premises or as a group, they should consider continuing on the exceptional work done in providing boxed food for those who may be struggling to make ends meet or who are vulnerable within the community and in wider society, including NHS staff, as throughout the pandemic. Contact local food banks, charities and your local authority to identify where help may be required.
  • Many centres will already have a digital infrastructure in place, so lectures, Qur’an recitations and supplications should continue to be made available/livestreamed using Skype, Zoom, Facebook, YouTube or Instagram, for those unable to attend Mosque. Whilst Mosques and Islamic centres are physical hubs for communities to gather, we should also strive to be virtual hubs of community learning and activism.
  • Many Mosques may still be implementing basic COVID-19 safety protocol; for Mosques interested in (re-)introducing such measures, MCB’s COVID-19 resources, including all previous safety guidance, are available at: www.mcb.org.uk/coronavirus
Ramadan 2022

17. Eco-Conscious Ramadan

The essence of Ramadan is not simply to refrain from food/drink; as part of our pursuit of greater taqwa, we should strive to observe the holy month such that we reduce, not increase, our consumption, and preserve the bounties of our beautiful planet.

Mosques are the heart of local British Muslim communities and their observance of the holy month of Ramadan. British Muslims are set to attend their local Mosque for communal iftars and taraweeh prayers after two years of largely being unable to. Mosques can play an integral role in promoting eco-conscious practices throughout Ramadan.

For Mosque leaders interested in facilitating a more eco-conscious Ramadan 2022, download: MCB’s 6-Step Guide to Eco-Friendly Mosques.

Islamic Relief UK has also released 11 Ways to Have an Eco-Conscious Ramadan, which includes top tips such as: going meat-free for a fortnight; waste less, save more; decorating your home eco-style; cutting your use of single use plastics; buying more fresh produce locally and switching to dairy-free where possible.

Ramadan 2022

18. Advice for Employers

  • Some employees will be abstaining from food, liquids and smoking from dawn to sunset, throughout the month of Ramadan, from 3rd April to 4th May (exact dates subject to sighting of the moon).
  • Muslims observing Ramadan will be fasting during daylight hours, eating one meal just before dawn (suhoor) and one meal at sunset (iftar). Muslims can eat or drink as they please through the night as needed.
  • Fasts will get longer as the month progresses and days get longer; lasting up to 16hrs as we approach the month May.
  • Depending on the weather and the length of the fast, some people who fast during Ramadan may experience mild dehydration, which can cause headaches, tiredness and a lack of concentration.
  • For those who usually drink caffeine through tea or coffee, the lack of caffeine can bring on headaches and tiredness. However, this will reduce as the body adapts to going without caffeine during the day.
  • Due to the timings of meals before dawn and after sunset, adjustment to new sleeping and eating patterns may also lead to some people feeling more tired than normal.
  • Don’t assume that all employees want to be treated differently because they are fasting, but be open to having a discussion with your employees.
Ramadan 2022

19. Advice for Line Managers

  • Be aware and open to discussing Ramadan and what support or adjustments your employee would like. Managers may experience requests for annual leave for those observing – be prepared for people to request to take holiday towards the end of Ramadan to celebrate Eid (holiday marking the end of Ramadan).
  • Be accommodating over annual leave requests particularly as the majority of Christian holidays are national holidays. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has produced a useful decision-making tool to help employers deal with requests for time off for religious reasons.
  • Allow for flexible working and adjusting working hours (i.e. an early start, working through lunch and an early finish) during this period, if requested.
  • Allow workers to have regular breaks for afternoon prayers as needed (Dhuhr and Asr) if requested – this is especially important for Muslims observing Ramadan to be able to pray their daily prayers on time.
  • If not already available in your workplace, we encourage a prayer space be allocated for those working on-site and wishing to do their daily prayers.

Feedback

This guidance has been compiled by the Muslim Council of Britain – information is accurate as of 1st April 2022.
For feedback, queries or corrections, please get in touch here.
Keep up to date with the work of the MCB by joining the mailing list, visit: mcb.org.uk/get-involved.

Disclaimer: The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) is not responsible for the content hosted on external websites.

If you found this page useful, please consider supporting the MCB with a donation at www.mcb.org.uk/donate. Thank you for your support.

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