Ramadan 2024: First time in the UK
During the entire month of Ramadan, Muslims from around the world are obligated to fast, pray, be charitable, perform good deeds and read the Quran. This blog post gives guidance on observing Ramadan in the UK for the first time.
Ramadan is expected to begin on from Monday 11 March and end Tuesday 9 April. This depends on the sighting of the moon, which is confirmed by an Islamic scholar who looks through a telescope.
Clock Changes
Every year in the UK the clock changes twice a year. This time the clock will go forward and will change during Ramadan on Sunday 31 March. The first 20 days of Ramadan, fasting will break just after 6pm. Then from day 21, fasting will break around 7:47pm and beyond, due to changing of the clock.
Preparing Suhoor
It may sound appealing to skip Suhoor (pre-dawn meal), to have uninterrupted sleep but you shouldn’t. It is best to eat something light, so then you are not having to rely on the previous meal. Furthermore, skipping Suhoor encourages overeating during Iftar (breaking of fast), which can cause unhealthy weight gain.
Tip — sleep around 11pm, wake up for Suhoor, eat light and drink plenty of water, pray and then return to sleep.
Preparations for Iftar
Around Leeds, many supermarkets will have special deals on before Ramadan starts, to help with purchasing food and drinks. Popular items to buy are dates, pakora’s, grilled chicken, dry fruits, Greek yogurt with oats or fruit, Rubicon mango drink and many more!
First time Ramadan in the UK
If this is your first-time spending Ramadan in the UK away from family, why not get together with your classmates or friends and break your fast together. Spend time cooking together, preparing the Iftar meal and end the fast by praying together. This way, you are not spending Ramadan alone and you will have good company around you. This is also a good opportunity to cook diverse meals from your culture.
Tip: On You tube follow a cooking show called Food Fusion. They have amazing short videos of basic Ramadan cooking recipes.
Study Techniques during Ramadan
Studying and fasting can be challenging, which is why it is important to plan a schedule to effectively manage your time.
- Allocate specific times for prayer, fasting and studying. As your sleeping schedule will change, it may be ideal to adjust your study schedule accordingly to make the most of your time. For instance, if you study best after Suhoor, you can plan to study for a few hours before sleeping.
- If you are trying to study whilst fasting, use visual aids such as flash cards, post it notes and posters.
- Keep your desk free from clutter, keep distractions out of sight such electronic devices.
- Taking regular breaks whilst fasting and studying is crucial for maintaining mental capacity and concentration. Take regular pauses from studying to divert your attention away from hunger.
- Move around the room, go out for a short walk, give your eyes a rest away from the screen.
Celebrating Eid
To mark the end of Ramadan, Muslims around the world celebrate a holy festival called Eid Al — Fitr. This is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by Prophet Ibrahim. Eid is a day full of happiness, spending time with family and friends, eating delicious food and offering gratitude to the Almighty.
Leeds is a great multi-cultural city which provides lots of Eid festivities, just check with your local mosque. Bradford city has so many retail stores to shop from if you’re looking for traditional attire.
On behalf of everyone at Leeds ISC, Ramadan Mubarak to all students!
