Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims in which they fast from dawn till sunset, abstaining from the consumption of food and drink. It’s a time for reflection and unity. Fasting during Ramadan aims to purify the mind, body and spirit, as well as bring the faithful closer to God. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, and many will use the month to focus more on prayer and charity, other pillars of Islam.
Prayer facilities are available at Portakabin 8 (behind the Vine building).
Ramadan will take place between Wednesday 22 March (depending on the sighting of the moon) and Friday 21 April.
Join MDXSU in the Quad for a special Ramadan pop-up stall! From 10am to 4pm on the below dates, the stall will provide exciting activities and treats for those fasting on campus.
Come and grab a goodie bag, filled with delicious snacks to break your fast with, while connecting with other members of the community. Join in the fun by participating in activities such as prayer bead making, and get your own special badge to show your involvement in Ramadan.
Friday 31 March, Wednesday 5 April, Wednesday 12 April, Wednesday 19 April, Wednesday 26 April
With Ramadan fast approaching, the most important thing to do is plan. Work out a schedule early on to make sure you have time for assessments, revision, rest, daily exercise, prayer and meals.
Make sure you don't overdo exercise, and save your energy. If you do any physical activity, avoid peak hours in the sun and stay in the shade as much as possible.
If you have an afternoon assessment, make sure you don't over exert yourself in the morning.
Ramadan is a great chance to reach out to someone you haven't spoken to in a while, or to keep building your friendships. Feeling tired, hungry and warm might reduce your motivation, but connecting with others will boost those endorphins and keep you going!
People will be celebrating Ramadan in many different ways, so remember to be kind to yourself during this time.
We have excellent support services for you to reach out to if needed, or online wellbeing platforms to help you develop self-care routines and build your own wellbeing toolkit.
Multi-faith prayer rooms are available at the University on the Main Campus for you to use during this time (Portacabin 8).
It's important to say active during Ramadan, so sleeping all day is a definite no! But taking a small nap (and we mean small!) after lunch and before the pre-Iftar period will help you feel refreshed and energised.
With the assessment period falling during Ramadan, you may be feeling anxious about how this may affect your performance while fasting.
There are loads of events being put on by MDX and your Students Union this year over the assignment period.
Read how Middlesex are running tests and assessments this year. This year to support you through assessments, MDX will also ensure:
If you have concerns about Ramadan coinciding with any assessments you have, speak to your programme leader, or Personal Tutor and they'll give you guidance around this.
Make sure you always have the pre-dawn meal (suhoor), and pay attention to eating foods that will release energy throughout the day (dates are great!).
Remember not to over-eat at Iftar (time when breaking your fast), avoid fried and fatty foods, and carbonated drinks and don’t forget to drink plenty of water.
Communicate with your manager, placement mentor and co-workers about Ramadan and your fasting. This will help them understand your needs better.
Most placement workplaces will understand and be able to better support you once you have told them.
Plan your schedule and meals, ensuring you are able to access food when not fasting, and are able to get a sufficient amount of sleep. Try to also plan where you will be able to pray whilst on your placement.
Ask your placement contact if there is a quiet and private space for you to pray. It’s also worth asking in advance about Eid and if you can arrange time off – don’t leave this till the last minute.
Make sure that you drink enough water when not fasting so that you do not get dehydrated. When you do break your fast, eat nutritious, high energy foods (such as oats, nuts, protein shakes, dates) so that you have enough energy for your placement work.
If you feel unwell (e.g. dizzy) please speak to your placement mentor or manager as soon as possible.
If you have communicated that you are fasting to your manager or placement mentor and don’t feel that you are being supported then speak with your Programme Leader or Personal Tutor.
Middlesex does not tolerate any form of bullying, discrimination, harassment and intimidation – and this includes for when students are on placement. Please report any harassment that you experience.
