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Ramadan 2026 - 17 February to 18 March

News

Posted on Wednesday 11 February 2026

Wishing all our Muslim staff and students a blessed Ramadan and Eid Mubarak. The month of Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic year. This year it is expected to begin on the evening of Tuesday 17 February and end on the evening of either Wednesday 18 or Thursday 19 March (depending on moon sightings).

Message from our Muslim community contact

Dr Ahmed Khaleel, Lecturer  in Arabic and Chair of the York City of Sanctuary Board of Trustees, is our Muslim community contact and has shared the following message. You can get in touch with him by emailing muslimcommunity@york.ac.uk

"Assalamu alaikum, our dear and beloved month of Ramadan is at our doorstep again. Ramadan is a season for worship, giving and forgiveness. Let us also make it a season for solidarity, love and unity across the whole country. We, Muslims, wish everyone a happy and a blessed month. Remember in your prayers those who are suffering, wherever they are."

Purpose and significance of Ramadan

  • To attain nearness and closeness to God (Allah) through devotion and commitment to fasting and prayers
  • To experience and appreciate those who are less fortunate than themselves
  • A time of charity and generosity - it is especially encouraged during this month
  • It is also a time for community and family spirit and providing support. Families within a household will pray and eat together and support each other

Key points

  • The dates of Ramadan in 2026 are expected to be 17 February to 18 March
  • Muslims abstain from any food and drink between dawn and sunset on each day of this month. See the local timings of prayer and fasting:
  • During this time Muslims try to follow a normal study or work routine as far as possible, but have responsibilities for devotion to extra prayers and readings as part of their daily religious commitments
  • The end of Ramadan is marked by the festival of Eid ul Fitr. Muslims will generally visit the Mosque for Eid prayers in the morning on the first day of Eid. They will offer prayers and express gratitude to Allah whilst reflecting on the blessings of this month of Ramadan. Following the Eid prayers Muslims will traditionally meet one another offering the greeting of Eid Mubarak which means Blessed Festival. During the Eid celebrations people will wear new clothes and visit family and friends and exchange gifts.
  • Students and staff usually take individual responsibility for managing their commitment to Ramadan (this may vary due to health and other personal circumstances). Managers, colleagues and staff supporting students are encouraged to demonstrate empathy, sensitivity and understanding to balance supporting students and staff to manage their Ramadan commitments.

To encourage inclusivity please consider the following practical points:

  • Flexible working: members of staff and students may request flexibility around their study, research or working arrangements, for example, to work shorter days or working weeks during Ramadan and you may wish to manage this as part of creation of rotas for your team’s working pattern (where appropriate). 
  • Breaks: members of staff and students observing Ramadan are encouraged to take regular breaks for rest and prayer/reflection.
  • Prayers: students and members of staff may wish to offer prayers during the day (there may be up to two prayers that may impact upon the timings of a working or studying day). See information about facilities on campus for prayer and reflection.
  • Annual leave: there will also be leave requests, so members of staff/students can observe Ramadan or celebrate Eid at home.  
  • Meetings and events: meeting organisers may wish to consider timing over this period to enable as many students or members of staff as possible to participate (for example reducing the timings of a meeting to 50 minutes or allocating a short break for longer meetings)
  • Normalising conversations: members of staff and students may give advance notice that they will be fasting to a manager, academic supervisor or colleagues. They might also want to share their own Ramadan journeys with colleagues by having a conversation or sharing what they are doing for it, what food they are preparing, and what the month means for them.

Provision of meals for students observing Ramadan

Students who are observing Ramadan and have signed up to the Catered Accommodation or Meals in Advance services on campus can collect breakfast packs alongside their evening meals. This service will be provided on weekdays (Monday to Friday) from 17 February until 18 March.

If you have any questions, contact ycl-catering@york.ac.uk

Information and facilities

We're grateful to Dr Shames Maskeen (Leeds Trinity University) for producing the following resources and allowing us to share them:

Support for students 

Support for staff