Ramadan

Ramadan Mubarak!

In 2025, Ramadan began in the evening of Friday 28th February and will last through Saturday 29th March/Sunday 30th March (depending on the moon sighting). 

If you are observing Ramadan on campus this year, the Prayer Rooms at the Chaplaincy Centre on St Pauls Road (PO5 4AQ) are open 24/7 in March, with separate ablution facilities for brothers and sisters. Additionally, the Islamic Society is providing free Iftar after Maghrib as well as hosting Taraweeh prayers 15 minutes after Isha Jama’ah in the nights of Ramadan for students and staff at the Chaplaincy Centre.

About Ramadan:

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, the month in which the Qur’an is believed to have been revealed to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad PBUH (peace be upon him). Muslims observe Ramadan by abstaining from food, drink, smoking and sexual intimacy to show their devotion to Allah SWT. In addition to fasting, Ramadan is celebrated by reciting and studying the Qur’an, performing acts of service and giving to charity. 

During Ramadan, Muslims maintain the standard five daily prayers but strive to increase the amount of worship they perform during Ramadan. Additionally, extra nightly prayers called Taraweeh (in sets of two rakats) and forms of worship such as tahajjud and itikaf are performed.

Also, it is recommended to give money to the poor, contribute to the community and do voluntary work. It is important to help those who are observing Ramadan but do not have the resources to break fast.

The last 10 days of Ramadan are important because the Prophet Muhammad PBUH said: “Search for Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights of the last 10 nights of Ramadan”. Laylatul Qadr can be translated as The Night of Decree or The Night of Power where the destiny of each person is decided and sealed for the coming year. Laylatul Qadr has also been described as a gift for the Prophet Muhammad’s community.

If you know someone who is observing Ramadan there are various ways to support them and be mindful: 

• Respect their fasting times - don’t ask if they can drink water or have a snack.
• During the fasting period, try not to eat in front of them.
• If you are working/studying with someone that is fasting, be understanding if they are low on energy.
• Plan things around their fasting periods and prayer times.
• Understanding that they may have to step out to pray and allowing them that privacy.

If you would like to find out more about Ramadan, you could have a read through this article - What Islam says about Ramadan. And if you would like to get involved in the Portsmouth Islamic society you can reach out to them on their instagram or sign up via this link.