Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide. It lasts for a period of 29 or 30 days and culminates with the first day of Eid which is likely to fall on 30 March 2025. Exact dates are subject to sightings of the moon.
Traditionally Ramadan is a time for communal prayer, spiritual reflection, meals with extended family and friends to break daily fasts, concluding with the community celebration of Eid-Ul-Fitr.
Many NHS staff who are Muslim will participate in a daily period of fasting, starting at dawn and finishing at sunset over the month. This means abstaining from food, drink (including water) and smoking. While the fast is an important part of Ramadan, it is also a time of self-reflection, self-evaluation, increasing worship and charitable deeds.
Not all Muslims will observe the fast in Ramadan, either out of choice or because they are religiously exempt. Fasting is both a communal and individual experience and one that many Muslim staff and communities will look forward to.
Follow the links to some useful guides:
Access guidance to support your workforce during Ramadan
Ramadan fasting brings significant changes to routines with no hydration or oral medication permitted during fasting hours. For this reason and others, staff with long-term health conditions undertaking certain roles or shift patterns may need to review their health prior to commencing fasting.
Guide: Ramadan Guide 2025 | Muslim Council of Britain
Health Factsheet: Ramadan Health Guide 2025 | Muslim Council of Britain
NHS Muslim Network Ramadan and EID Guidance National-NHS-Muslim-Network-Ramadan-and-Eid-Guidance-2025-1.pdf
Diabetes UK Diabetes and Ramadan Diabetes and Ramadan | Fasting | Diabetes UK
Order a free Diabetes UK Ramadan and Diabetes Fact Sheet Ramadan and Diabetes | Free diabetes information – Diabetes UK Shop
Royal College of General Practice Your guide to Ramadan & Iftar
BMJ Learning Ramadan and Diabetes Ramadan and diabetes Online course | BMJ Learning
British Nutrition Foundation A healthy Ramadan | British Nutritional Foundation
NHS Employers Ramadan pdf Guide ramadan_0.pdf
