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Ramadan in the United Kingdom

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Ramadan in the United Kingdom is observed by the country’s Muslim community, which constitutes approximately 6.0% of the population (nearly 3.9 million people), making Islam the second-largest religion in the UK after Christianity.

Moon sighting

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Ramadan’s dates in the UK follow the Islamic lunar calendar.[1][2] The start is traditionally confirmed moon sightings within the United Kingdom via the New Cresent Society often in collaboration with the Royal Observatory Greenwich[3][4][5][6], though some minority communities rely on announcements from Saudi Arabia's astronomical calculations though the vadility of this is within Sunni Islam is disputed.[7][8][9]

Predicted Ramadan dates in the United Kingdom (1447–1457 AH)

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The table below shows predicted start dates for Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr in the United Kingdom according to crescent visibility data published by the HM Nautical Almanac Office,[10][11]as applied by the New Crescent Society (NCS), the leading UK moonsighting organisation.[12] [13][14]All dates are provisional and subject to local moonsighting.

Predicted Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr dates (UK, 1447–1457 AH)
Hijri Year Ramadan start date (UK) Eid al-Fitr start date (UK) Status
1447 AH 19 February 2026 21 March 2026 Predicted
1448 AH 08 February 2027 10 March 2027 Predicted
1449 AH 28 January 2028 28 February 2028 Predicted
1450 AH 16 January 2029 15 February 2029 Predicted
1451 AH 05 January 2030 04 February 2030 Predicted
1452 AH 25 December 2030 23 January 2031 Predicted
1453 AH 14 December 2031 12 January 2032 Predicted
1454 AH 03 December 2032 02 January 2033 Predicted
1455 AH 23 November 2033 23 December 2033 Predicted
1456 AH 12 November 2034 12 December 2034 Predicted
1457 AH 02 November 2035 02 December 2035 Predicted

Religious practices

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Muslims abstain from food, drink, and sinful behavior from dawn (Suhoor) to sunset (Iftar). Due to the UK’s longer daylight hours fasting reaches up to 16–17 hours in summer.[15] Just like other mosques the London Central Mosque host nightly Taraweeh prayers, with Quran recitation competitions and translations in sign language for inclusivity.[8] The "Night of Power" (27th Ramadan) is commemorated with extended prayers and Quranic readings.[16]

Culinary traditions and Iftar meals

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Breaking the fast with Iftar is a cherished tradition. In the UK, Iftar meals often feature a blend of traditional dishes from various cultures. Common items include dates, lentil soups, samosas, and kebabs. Resources like BBC Good Food offer a collection of recipes tailored for Ramadan, ranging from energizing Suhoor options to hearty Iftar dishes.[17]

Restaurants and supermarkets in the UK often cater to the increased demand for halal food and special Ramadan delicacies.[18]

Charitable activities and community engagement

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Charity is a cornerstone of Ramadan. In the UK, initiatives like the Ramadan Tent Project exemplify this spirit by hosting free Open Iftar events in iconic locations such as Trafalgar Square and the Victoria and Albert Museum. These events aim to foster cross-cultural understanding and community cohesion by inviting people of all backgrounds to share in the Iftar experience.[17][19][20]

Organizations like the Muslim World League in London host interfaith meals with Christian, Jewish, and Bahá’í leaders, fostering social cohesion.[8]

"Iftar With Your Neighbour" a Projects that invite asylum seekers and non-Muslims to share meals, emphasizing solidarity.[8]

Political leaders, including the Prime Minister, issue Ramadan greetings, raising awareness and hosting Iftar Party.[21][22][23]

Economic impact

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Main article: Ramadan Rush

The term "Ramadan Rush" emerged in 2011 to describe the surge in retail activity during Ramadan, attributed to an influx of wealthy Middle Eastern visitors to the UK.

Ramadan significantly contributes to the UK economy, with estimates suggesting its total economic impact ranges between £800 million and £1.3 billion annually. This includes retail spending on food, clothing, and gifts, as well as charitable contributions.[24] The travel and tourism sector also experiences a boost, as many Muslims travel to visit family and friends or embark on holidays during this period.[25] Recent reports indicate that the UK's Ramadan economy has grown rapidly over the past decade, reflecting the increasing purchasing power and influence of British Muslims.[18]

Media coverage and public perception

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Media representation of Ramadan has seen notable developments. In 2025, the BBC broadcast Eid prayers live from Bradford Central Mosque for the first time.[26] However, media portrayals can also spark controversy; for instance, London Mayor Sadiq Khan faced criticism over his Eid message referencing international conflicts, leading to debates about the politicization of religious observances.[27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ramadan 2025: What is it and when does it start?". BBC Newsround. February 27, 2025.
  2. ^ "Ramadan 2025: When does it start and what are the rules?". The Independent. February 28, 2025.
  3. ^ "How to sight the new crescent Moon | Moon Sighting & Islamic calendar". www.rmg.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  4. ^ "Eid Moonsighting LIVE 2024 | Royal Observatory Greenwich". www.rmg.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  5. ^ "Ramadan New Crescent Moon Watch 2025 | Royal Observatory". www.rmg.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  6. ^ Seagrove, Paul (2023-03-23). "Changing month by the Moon". www.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  7. ^ "This is when Ramadan 2025 starts in the UK as Muslims begin fasting". NationalWorld. February 28, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d Butt, Maira (March 20, 2025). "Ramadan 2025: Muslims bring the centuries-old spiritual month down to Earth".
  9. ^ "Eid 2025: UK experts challenge Saudi's 'impossible' Shawwal crescent sighting; Eid-ul-Fitr in KSA on Sunday, March 30". Hindustan Times. 29 March 2025.
  10. ^ "Crescent Moon Visibility for late February and early March 2025". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  11. ^ "Hm Nautical Almanac Office News and Announcements - Archived News". www.govwire.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  12. ^ Bentley, David (2025-02-28). "Ramadan 2025 start date for UK now confirmed by multiple moonsighting groups". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  13. ^ "How do we know when Ramadan starts and ends? It's up to the moon". History. 2025-08-20. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  14. ^ "Suffa Blog - How Do Muslims in the UK Decide the Start of a New Hijri Month? - By Muhammad Rusydi Azmi & Others". thesuffafoundation.org. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  15. ^ "'Longest' Muslim holy month of Ramadan in 33 years begins". BBC News. June 6, 2016.
  16. ^ "The Night of Power - Laylatul Qadr 2024". Islamic Relief UK.
  17. ^ a b Barker, Sam (March 4, 2025). "This UK Charity Hosts Free Open Iftar Meals In Iconic Venues - Such As Shakespeare's Globe, The V&A, And More". Secret London.
  18. ^ a b Jeraj, Samir (March 31, 2025). "Ramadan is worth up to £1.3bn to UK economy". Hyphen.
  19. ^ "UK charity host final Ramadan iftar in London as Eid approaches".
  20. ^ "Home". Ramadan Tent Project | RTP.
  21. ^ O, Y. (May 11, 2019). "Ramadan messages from political leaders and MPs". Londra Gazete.
  22. ^ "In a first, UK's House of Commons hosts iftar, PM Keir Starmer attends". India Today. March 5, 2025.
  23. ^ "Ramadan: 'Amazing atmosphere' at Windsor Castle Iftar event". www.bbc.com. March 3, 2025.
  24. ^ "Ramadan: Its value to British Society and the Economy" (PDF). March 2025. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-03-28.
  25. ^ "How does Ramadan affect Businesses in UK?". www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com.
  26. ^ Asbali, Nadeine (April 2, 2025). "As a child, I was afraid of my friends seeing me pray. Watching Eid live on the BBC was a huge moment". The Guardian.
  27. ^ Iqbal, Jawad (April 3, 2025). "Sadiq Khan's biased Eid message was political vanity". www.thetimes.com.
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Media related to Ramadan in the United Kingdom at Wikimedia Commons

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