Ramadan and staying healthy
This year, Ramadan will start on the 2nd of April and end on the 1st of May 2022 and concludes with the celebration of Eid-al Fitr.
Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting, during which time Muslims do not eat or drink during daylight hours for 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon. It’s a time of self-reflection, evaluation and recognising the needs of the underprivileged.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with prayer, giving money to charity (zakat), Hajj, and saying the Shahada, which is a profession of faith. Hundreds of millions of Muslims worldwide observe the month of Ramadan each year.
While fasting is considered compulsory for all adult Muslims, it’s not mandatory for those at risk of ill-health, pregnant, lactating, elderly and children below the age of 14.
You should eat twice a day to maintain a healthy fast. The predawn meal (Suhoor) and a meal at dusk (Iftar). Regardless of how long you fast, don’t break with a heavy meal. Ramadan can be a good time to make changes to improve the balance of your diet that you can sustain in the longer term.
Consult a health care provider or contact us if you have difficulties fasting to get more specific advice based on your situation.
If you need more help and information, click the links below:
- NHS England and NHS Improvement – Supporting COVID-19 vaccine uptake during Ramadan
- Diabetes UK
- The Muslim Council of Britain – Guide welcoming Ramadan 2022
- Keeping patients with diabetes healthy during Ramadan
For more guidance and support, contact info@wirralchange.org.uk