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Ramadan

Ramadan is a month-long religious holiday celebrated by Muslims and is a time for self-reflection and strengthening their relationship with God. Ramadan is dictated by the lunar cycle; it begins and ends with a crescent moon. The religious holiday involves fasting, praying and being around loved ones.

When Ramadan takes place

Ramadan’s exact dates change every year. This is because Islam uses a calendar based on the cycles of the Moon.

How is Ramadan celebrated?

For Muslims, Ramadan is a time to focus on their faith and perform generous acts. People raise money and donate supplies to help others in need. Many fast to remind themselves about those in the world who don’t have enough to eat.

Most Muslims fast between dawn and sunset. Fasting allows Muslims to devote themselves to their faith. It is thought to teach self-discipline and remind them of the suffering of the poor. Children, pregnant women, elderly people, and those who are ill or travelling don't have to fast.

During Ramadan, it is common to have one meal - known as the suhoor - just before dawn and another - known as the iftar - directly after sunset.

Almost all Muslims try to give up bad habits during Ramadan. It is a time for prayer, good deeds and spending time with family and friends.

Interesting facts about Ramadan

  • Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, worship and prayer. It celebrates the creation of the Quran, which is the holy book for people who practise the Islamic faith.
  • Children don’t usually fast until they are 14 years old.
  • During Ramadan you can greet someone by saying “Ramadan Mubarak” which means “Have a blessed Ramadan”.

Eid ul-Fitr

The end of Ramadan is marked by a big celebration called Eid ul-Fitr (the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast).

Muslims are not only celebrating the end of fasting but thanking Allah for the strength he gave them throughout the previous month.

Mosques hold special services and a special meal is eaten during daytime - the first daytime meal for a month.

During Eid ul-Fitr, Muslims dress in their finest clothes, give gifts to children and spend time with their friends and family. Muslims will also give money to charity at Eid.

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Ideas and activities to help children with vision impairment celebrate Ramadan

Moon and star decorations

You will need:

  • Sparkly gold and silver pipe cleaners
  • Cookie cutters in different shapes and sizes (a selection of circles, crescents, or stars, if possible)

Instructions

  • Allow your child time to explore the shape and size of the different cookie cutters and the length and texture of the pipe cleaners.
  • Encourage or guide your child to place one end of a pipe cleaner at the bottom of one of the shapes.
  • Using their thumb and finger to hold the pipe cleaner in place, ask your child to bend the pipe cleaner around the edges of the moon or star cookie cutter.
  • Once they have reached the point where they started, carefully remove and set aside the cookie cutter. Twist the pipe cleaner ends together to complete the shape.
  • Repeat this as many times as your child is happy to do so.
  • These moons and stars can be used for decorating cards, hanging on a window, or even offering as a gift for Ramadan.

Ramadan countdown craft

A simple but fun way to count down the days of Ramadan!

You will need:

  • A paper plate
  • Coloured paints (try adding a different scent to each of the paints to help distinguish the different colours)
  • Paint brush and water
  • 30 wooden pegs

Instructions

  • Set up a clear surface and cover with paper to protect.
  • Lay out the different materials, ensuring your child knows where to safely and independently locate each item.
  • Paint your paper plate a single, bold colour and allow to dry.
  • Encourage your child to explore the different colours, discussing scent and texture if appropriate, before painting each of the pegs and setting aside to dry.
  • Once everything is dry, clip all the coloured pegs around the outside of the paper plate.
  • Each day your child can remove one peg, counting down the days until the end of Ramadan!

Ramadan wall calendar

A wall calendar can be used to remind children of kind acts they can do during Ramadan.

You will need:

  • Large (A2) sheet of black card
  • 30 white miniature envelopes
  • (Or use coloured card and contrasting envelopes if preferred)

Instructions

  • Add braille, tactile or large print numbers to each envelope for every day of Ramadan, then attach the envelopes to the card.
  • Mount the wall chart in a place where your child can reach and feel the individual envelopes independently.
  • Encourage your child to think of different acts of kindness, which will be written down and placed in the envelopes, one for each day of Ramadan.

Some examples of acts of kindness:

  • Give a hug
  • Say a prayer
  • Let someone go first
  • Donate a toy to charity
  • Say thank you
  • Send a postcard to a friend
  • Smile
  • Help out at home
  • Set some food out for the birds
  • Make a card for someone special
  • Give words of encouragement

Each day invite your child to identify the number for that day and remind them of the act of kindness they chose.

We would love parents and carers to share their thoughts and feedback on these activities via our Parents and Carers Facebook Group. Let us know your family's favourite traditions and how you celebrate!

If you would like to see a particular celebration included here, email us.

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