Call 0800 1111
Ramadan
Ramadan is one of the holiest months in Islam and is an important time for Muslims all over the world. If you need support during Ramadan, Childline’s here for you.
Celebrating Ramadan
In 2027, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of 7th February and carry on until 8th March, depending on the sighting of the moon. People all over the world will be fasting from sunrise until sunset to observe Ramadan, it’s an important time of prayer and community.
Lots of young people will be excited and proud to be able to observe Ramadan. Fasting is a challenge that can affect people differently, so it’s always important to get support when you need it. Depending on your age or health, you may observe Ramadan differently or be excused from fasting entirely.
Whatever your experience of Ramadan, Childline’s here to support you.
Coping if you’re struggling
There are lots of reasons you might need extra support or help during Ramadan. Fasting can affect people in lots of different ways. If you’re finding it a challenge or hard to cope with, we’ve got advice to help.
Coping and feeling positive
There are lots of ways to feel positive and focused during Ramadan:
- Plan ahead for any special arrangements you might need to reduce how much you’re doing.
- Check that your school or college knows if you’re fasting, and find out if they can make any adjustments to help.
- Make a list of goals you’d like to achieve during this special month.
- Be kind to yourself and take things slowly when you need to.
- Keep in contact with friends and people you care about.
- Think about what Ramadan means to you, and speak to the people close to you about their experiences of it.
- Spend time planning ways to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with people you care about.
Struggling to cope?
If you’re feeling unwell or observing Ramadan is having an impact on you physically or emotionally, then it’s important to get support. It can help to talk through what’s happening with an adult you trust, or with Childline. You can also always visit your doctor when you need support.
Eating problems
Events and times focused on food, fasting, or eating can feel difficult to cope with when you have an eating disorder. That includes Ramadan, and it’s important you get support if your health or eating problems may be affected.
If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or you have problems with eating, you’re not alone. There are things that can help during Ramadan:
- Keep talking to someone you trust at home, school, or Childline about what’s happening.
- Speak to your doctor or anyone supporting you with your eating about whether your health allows you to fast during Ramadan, or if you’re exempt from fasting.
- Check with a religious scholar that you or your family trust to see what else you can do.
- If you are fasting, make sure take part in Suhoor and Iftar, including having meals and making sure you’ve had enough water or other liquids.
Even if you’re not able to fast during Ramadan, you can speak to your family, carers, or the people in your life about other ways to build on your faith during this special month.
School, college, and revision
Fasting during Ramadan can have an impact on your ability to concentrate and take part in things at school. It’s natural to have times when you’re struggling to work or keep up your normal routine.
Your school is there to support you, and they should be able to help you adjust your routine to allow you to pray and manage how you’re feeling. It can help to ask someone at school about:
- doing less during lessons like PE
- giving you somewhere else to go during lunch, instead of spending time with people who are eating
- making sure you have time and space for prayers.
Revision and preparing for exams can be tough when you haven’t eaten. It can feel harder to focus and take in information.
It can help to speak to your teachers about how they can support you during this time, as well as thinking about when it’s best to revise. For example, it might help to plan most of your revision in the morning after Suhoor or in the evening after Iftar.
Getting support
It’s always okay to get support from your family, carers, friends, and the people you care about, especially during Ramadan. It’s natural for anyone to need help sometimes.
Talking to friends or people close to you can help you to feel more connected and give you a distraction when you need it. You can also take time to talk about the positives of what’s happening as well as anything you’re finding hard.
If you’re finding it hard to cope during Ramadan, then you’re not alone. Telling people in your life what’s happening can help them to support you. If you’re ever worried about who you talk to, you can always speak to us.
Worried about asking for help?
There are lots of reasons you could feel scared or worried about asking for support. You might not be sure how someone will react to you asking for adjustments or feel nervous about sharing things that are happening in your life.
You always deserve to feel supported, no matter what’s happening. It can help to think about things that can make it easier to talk. For example:
- Think about who you trust most in your life.
- Plan a time to talk when you feel comfortable and won’t be disturbed or distracted.
- Write down what you’d like to say.
Remember, if you’re ever struggling to ask for help or you’re not feeling listened to, Childline is here for you.
Helping someone else
There are lots of ways you can be supportive to someone who’s observing Ramadan:
- Check if there are things you can do to make things easier.
- Be patient if someone isn’t able to do as much as they usually can.
- Avoid offering food and drink to someone if they’re fasting.
- Don’t question if someone isn’t fasting as there can be lots of reasons for this.
Remember, it’s okay to ask questions about Ramadan if someone is comfortable talking about it.
Get more support
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.