THE HOLY month of Ramadan is considered a time of spiritual reflection, fasting and prayers.
Muslims across the globe abstain from eating or drinking between dawn and sundown during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
The first day of Ramadan begins tomorrow, Tuesday, April 13, 2021.
Fasting will begin at sunrise after suhur and then finish at sunset with iftar.
All Muslims who have reached puberty are expected to fast during Ramadan.
However, there are some exceptions such as women who are menstruating or pregnant and those suffering from illness.
Read our Ramadan live blog below for all of the latest news and updates…
- Joseph Gamp
NHS ADVICE
The NHS has urged the public to stay safe during Ramadan, advising those with symptoms of coronavirus to abstain from fasting.
As with any person who experiences ill health or long term health conditions, there are a number of exemptions that are permitted by the faith during fasting.
For some, refraining from food and drink may weaken their immune system making them more vulnerable to sickness or worsening coronavirus symptoms.
- Aliki Kraterou
ITIKAAF
The Muslim Council of Britain has released the top tips for Itikaaf, -traditionally a period staying at the mosque but this year MCB advices to be practiced at home.
- Aliki Kraterou
IFTAAR
The Muslim Council of Britain has released the top tips for Iftaar, the evening meal at the end of the day to break the fast.
- Aliki Kraterou
TARAWEEH
The Muslim Council of Britain has released the top tips for Taraweeh, the evening prayer during Ramadan.
- Aliki Kraterou
KAFFARAH
Kaffarah isa different type of compensation.
Muslims must pay if they deliberately miss or break a fast in the month of Ramadan without a valid reason.
To atone for the missed/intentionally broken fast, believers must fast for 60 days.
If they are unable to do so they must feed 60 poor people at a rate of £5 per person (the cost of an average meal in the UK).
Therefore, this amounts to £300 for each missed/intentionally broken fast, according to the Islamic Relief.
- Aliki Kraterou
FIDYA
According to the Islamic tradition, when someone cannot fast during Ramadan and can’t make up the lost days afterwards then they should pay fidya.
This means to pay for someone else to be fed.
£5 fidya for each missed fast- it should provide one person with two meals or two people with one meal.
However, if someone misses all the fasts of Ramadan, they would need to pay £150.
- Aliki Kraterou
EID TIPS
MCB shares its Eid top tips to mark the end of Ramadan.
- Aliki Kraterou
BLESSED MONTH
The Islamic Relief defines Ramadan as the " blessed month", when "muslims across the globe, use this acred time for worshipping Allah."
"They offer an opportunity for devotion, reflection and celebration of the mercy and love of Allah."
- Aliki Kraterou
LAST DAY OF RAMADAN
According to the Islamic Relief: Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the blessed month of Ramadan.
This year Eid al-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on the evening of Wednesday 12th May 2021.
However the exact date is subject to the sighting of moon of Shawwal (the 10th month of Islamic Calendar).
- Aliki Kraterou
SAFE MOSQUES
The MCB has also released some tips to ensure mosques are taking the necessary measures for people's safety.
- Aliki Kraterou
RAMADAN TIMETABLE UK 2021
This is the Ramadan timetable for this year, courtesy of the Islamic Relief
- Aliki Kraterou
PHYSICAL HEALTH DURING RAMADAN
- Aliki Kraterou
IFTAR FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY
- Wales – Currently, 6 people from a maximum of two households can meet outdoors, including gardens. Carers, or children under 11, are not included in the count. Restaurants are expected to be able to re-open to serve meals outdoors only from 26 April.
- Scotland – Currently, 4 people from a maximum of two households can meet outdoors, including gardens. These numbers may increase from 26 April. Children under 12 are not included in the count. Restaurants are expected to be able to re-open to serve meals outdoors only from 26 April.
Northern Ireland – From 12 April, up to 10 people (including children) from no more than two households can meet up outdoors including in a private garden.
INDOOR GATHERINGS FOR IFTAR NOT PERMITTED
Indoor gatherings with people outside our household or support bubblefor iftar are not yet permitted.
MCB states: "Step 2 of the Roadmap is expected to start from 12 April.
"Up to 6 people (including children of all ages), or two households of any size, can gather outdoors including in private gardens.
"Restaurants will be able to serve meals outdoors only from 12 April."
WORKING FROM HOME DURING RAMADAN
The Muslim Council of Britain has also published a few tips for those working from home this Ramadan.
- Breaks – Ensure you are taking regular breaks from work, for rest and reflection – perhaps around salaah (prayer) times.
- Timings – If you are able, start your day earlier so that you can finish earlier and have some down time prior to iftar.
- Let others know – Give your employer and colleagues advance notice that you will be fasting.
- Share – Share Ramadan with colleagues by having a conversation or sharing what you’re doing for it e.g. volunteering, cooking different meals etc.
- Duties – Honour your workplace duties with patience and good grace to those around you.
- Break – Should you find yourself frustrated or tired, take a break.
- Aliki Kraterou
RULES FOR CHILDREN DURING RAMADAN
Muslim children are expected to begin fasting once they have reached puberty, usually by the age of 14.
There is no national law that prevents young children or teens from fasting.
The NHS advises against children below the age of eight from participating in the fast.
Advice from the national health body reads: “It’s a good idea to make children aware of what fasting involves and to practice fasting for a few hours at a time.”
- Aliki Kraterou
RAMADAN SAFETY GUIDE
The guide released by the Muslim Council of Britain includes tips on minimising risk of catching Covid during the holy month.
- Aliki Kraterou
FASTING DURING RAMADAN
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are obliged to abstain from eating or drinking during daylight hours.
If a fast is broken, it will need to be compensated for by fasting at a later date.
Or they can pay “fidyah”, a religious term for donation of food or money.
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, so all adult Muslims are expected to fast.
It is thought abstaining from these activities will lead to greater “taqwa”, or consciousness of God.
- Aliki Kraterou
MOSQUES ARE OPEN
Places of worship have stayed open during the national lockdown, allowing people to attend mosques and other communal prayer facilities.
However, worshippers are required to comply with restrictions such as social distancing and not mixing with anyone outside of their household or support bubble.
This year, mosques will continue to adhere to the rules at a significantly reduced capacity than usual.
- Aliki Kraterou
GUIDANCE DURING RAMADAN
The Muslim Council of Britain has released new guidance outlining how Muslims can practise their faith during the holy month while keeping safe from coronavirus.
The MCB recommends:
- Organising taraweeh at home as a family and pray in congregation.
- Streaming Islamic lectures or taraweeh in your home, either pre-recorded or live.
- Arranging virtual iftars with loved ones and community members through online video calling like Zoom.
- Planning your iftar menus in advance so that you can limit multiple shopping trips.
- Hydrating well for the long fasting days.
- Eating high energy, slow burn foods for suhoor (starting your fast).
- Remaining energised throughout the workday to combat heightened levels of anxiety during these times.
- Take regular breaks to reflect and take time for yourself.
- Take time to be good to yourself – "sometimes it is quality over quantity."
'BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND LOVED ONES'
Imam Yunus Dudhwala, Head of Chaplaincy Barts Health NHS Trust, agreed and said the vaccine is the "best way to protect yourself and your loved ones."
“This Ramadan will continue to be different. The vast majority of scholars have deemed taking the vaccine whilst fasting as permissible and stated that it does not break the fast.
“The experts have stated that the COVID-19 vaccine is effective and the best way of protecting yourself and your loved ones.
"I ask my Muslim brothers and sisters to consider taking the vaccine when called."
- Aliki Kraterou
JAB DOES NOT BREAK FAST
NHS has stressed that getting the jab does not break the fast observed by Muslims during daylight hours over Ramadan.
Dr Farzana Hussain said: “Getting an injection does not break the fast as it’s not nutrition and so there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t have it if you are eligible and have been invited for your Covid-19 vaccine and those scheduled for their second dose, should take it.
“The Koran says saving your life is the most important thing: to save one life is to save the whole of humanity. It’s a responsibility of a practising Muslim to take their vaccine.”
- Aliki Kraterou
MORRISONS RAMADAN FOOD BOXES
Morrisons has brought back the Ramadan food boxes in a bid to make it easier for customers.
The boxes costs £33 and are available online to order at the click of a button, and then Morrisons will deliver it to your home.
Each box includes 29 portions of halal chicken, chickpeas, yoghurt, naan bread, 2kg of gram flour and plenty of sauces and spices.
Customers will also receive a large bottle of fresh mango lassi and a gift box of dates.
- Aliki Kraterou
NHS ADVICE
The NHS has urged the public to stay safe during Ramadan, advising those with symptoms of coronavirus to abstain from fasting.
As with any person who experiences ill health or long term health conditions, there are a number of exemptions that are permitted by the faith during fasting.
For some, refraining from food and drink may weaken their immune system making them more vulnerable to sickness or worsening coronavirus symptoms.
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