Ramadan & Iftar events

Many practising Muslims across our community will soon be entering into a period of fasting for Ramadan. Here you will find key dates of activities at the Chaplaincy and Students' Union, with an introduction to this holy period from our Muslim Chaplain, Imam Mohammad Asad.

Iftar

Iftar is the meal at sunset when Muslims open their fast and eat. 

Come together at sunset around 6pm (timings will vary for every Iftar) for connection and celebration, as we open our fast with a meal, learn about Ramadan and make new friends.

Iftar dates:

• Thursday 6 March at Chaplaincy - 6:01pm
• Monday 10 March (Grand Iftar) at the Students' Union- 6:09pm (arrival 5pm) 
• Thursday 13 March at Chaplaincy - 6:14pm
• Thursday 20 March at Chaplaincy - 6:26pm
• Thursday 27 March at Chaplaincy - 6:39pm

Register here

 Grand Iftar

• Monday 10 March
• 5pm – 7.30pm
• Students' Union, City Campus 

Join us for the University’s very first Grand Iftar. For those who wish to participate, there will be prayers, also a lovely free meal, social and educational activities. 

Drop-In Ramadan Q&As with Imam Mohammad

• Mondays, 12-1pm
• The Workplace, Ambika Paul Building (MD) - opposite the Library 
• Islamic advice for studying, working and wellbeing during Ramadan and beyond.

A Ramadan message from our Muslim Chaplain

What is Ramadan?

Saturday 1 March would be the first day of fasting although, as Islamic days start at sunset, the month of Ramadan would actually begin on the evening of Friday, 28 February, provided the moon is sighted.

Muslims around the world will start fasting during daylight hours, meaning they will abstain from eating, drinking or engaging in sexual relations for the duration of their fast. Young children, pregnant women, the old, the sick and travellers are examples of those who are exempt from fasting.

Aside from fasting, Muslims observing Ramadan also increase in spiritual devotional acts such as prayers, giving charity and strengthening family ties. Muslims are also encouraged to share their food with friends, family, neighbours, colleagues and to reach out to those who may be fasting alone, to share their Ramadan experiences.

Why fasting?

“O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain Taqwa (God-conscious)” [Quran 2:183]

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. A key objective of fasting increase in taqwa (closeness to / consciousness of God), and to engender a sense of gratitude, self-discipline and self-improvement, at both an individual and community level, which Muslims are encouraged to continue throughout the year.

At an individual level, fasting encourages us to feel an affinity with the poor across the world who have little or no food to eat. At a community level, the breaking of fast meal (Iftar) at sunset encourages families and local communities to share their meal together, whilst charity work in local communities typically increases during Ramadan.

The end of Ramadan is marked by the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, known as the ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast’. Similar to the beginning of Ramadan, the end of the month is determined by moon sighting.

Wishing everyone a happy month of Ramadan

Imam Mohammad Asad