Ramadan is one of the holiest months of the Islamic calendar and is important for all our Muslim communities. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin around Wednesday 18th February and end around Friday 20 March.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast during the daylight hours. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, and Muslims fast to increase taqwa (closeness to God). Ramadan is also a time for families and communities to come together, strengthen connections, and donate to chosen charities. Learn more about Ramadan from the Muslim Council of Britain.
Ramadan is marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, prayer, self-reflection and acts of charity. It is a deeply spiritual time that encourages discipline, gratitude, and connection with both faith and community. The fast is broken each evening with Iftar, a meal shared with family, friends, and often the wider community. The month culminates in Eid al-Fitr, a joyous celebration that marks the end of fasting.
There is a range of information and advice available for those who are observing Ramadan, as well as for schools and employers.
Resources for schools
BBC Teach has developed classroom resources for primary schools to support teaching around Ramadan. These include short films, a children’s Newsround article, School Radio assemblies and BBC Bitesize articles:
The Islamic Society of Britain has produced a guide for schools with information for primary and secondary schools covering all aspects of Ramadan and how it relates to school life.
TES offers a Ramadan Assembly presentation for UK Secondary Schools (£2) which includes key facts and information and ways to support those who are fasting, as well as reflection and discussion questions.
Islamophobia Awareness Month has produced resources for schools, including factsheets and lesson plans for schools and a Tree of Kindness activity.
Information for Employers
Download the Muslim Friendly Employers Top Tips guide to discover how you can support your Muslim colleagues in the month of Ramadan.
Ramadan Prayer and safe fasting calendars
The Haref team at Connected Voice has worked with mosques across North Tyneside, Gateshead and Newcastle to get the right prayer timetables for each of the mosques calendars and with the NHS Diabetes Centre, Glaucoma UK and Diabetes UK to get the right health information relating to fasting for the calendars.
The 2026 Haref Ramadan prayer calendars are available online and in print format. They are delivering the printed calendars to the mosques and community-facing buildings. Alongside the prayer times, the calendars contain safe fasting information, tips on managing diabetes, and managing your glaucoma.
Find out more at Connected Voice’s Ramadan 2026 webpage which has mosque/Muslim centre specific information and links, or download/share the relevant fasting calendars and health factsheets:
- Newcastle and Gateshead Ramadan Calendar 2026
- North East England Ramadan Calendar 2026
- North Tyneside Ramadan Calendar 2026
Additional health guidance on safe fasting