The Islamic month of Ramadan runs from 10th March to 8th April this year (2024). Ramadan is a great time to start conversations with Muslim friends and colleagues and to focus on praying for Muslims in our local community and across the UK. These next few weeks are full of opportunities!

So what is Ramadan?

It is the special month of fasting in Islam. All adult Muslims are expected to fast during daylight hours from all food and drink. And from smoking too. This means that your whole day is re-organised. You get up well before dawn to eat. The usual mealtimes throughout the day are cancelled. After sunset, families and mosque communities eat together, enjoying a renewed sense of solidarity.

How do ordinary Muslim people feel about Ramadan?

That is a great question. Some look forward to it, especially the very devout. Some dread it, especially those who are not really practising. They may feel conflicted as they negotiate their way through the month avoiding giving offence or getting caught. For many, it is just a tradition, something that you do because you’ve always done it, with its good points and its bad points.

How do Muslims we know feel about it?

It’s a great question to ask them – so long as we can ask it in the right way, as a friend who is genuinely curious wanting to understand, not as someone looking to find fault. Another great question is about the benefits people are supposed to get from it, a much better question than simply “why?”

Of course, to make this a conversation, we need to be ready to respond to their questions to us. Do we fast? What traditions do we follow? What does our faith mean to us?

You might have lots of other questions…

Do our Muslim friends look forward to Ramadan?

Can we talk to them about why they follow this practice, or even celebrate this special time with them?

How might we take this opportunity to pray for Muslims around the world?

Mahabba has a wealth of resources for Ramadan, with testimonies, guides and ideas for how we can demonstrate God’s love to Muslims and engage with this special season.

Find them all on our dedicated page ‘My Muslim friends at Ramadan’.