Mindfulness and meaning this Ramadan

Ramadan Mubarak!

Hi there, my name is Tisha and I’m a first-year student studying Digital Media & Culture at King’s. Like many of us on campus, I’m observing Ramadan this month and so I wanted to share what it means to me personally, and how I balance it with university life.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. You may also notice that Ramadan is on different dates each year as it follows the Islamic calendar which is based on the lunar cycle.

At the time of writing, Ramadan is underway, having begun in mid February, with Eid al Fitr expected to take place on Thursday 19 or Friday 20 March. Eid al Fitr, one of the two Eids meaning ‘festival’ or ‘feast’ in Islam, marks the celebration of completing the month of Ramadan.

During Ramadan, we abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset, while focusing more intentionally on prayer, reflection, reciting Quran and charity. If you’re interested in diving deeper and building a closer relationship to Allah (God), you can check out this Ramadan 2026 series by Dr Omar Suleiman in which he reflects on the 99 names of God and explains how understanding and calling upon them can deepen your faith and help you live a more God conscious life.

Ramadan has always been centered around shared meals, so being away from home makes that absence feel stronger. I really miss having iftar, (the meal to break the fast) with my family.

When I lived in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, work and study schedules often shifted to accommodate the holy month. Here in the UK, it feels a little different. Having seminars from 4 to 6 during the time to break the fast can be challenging, especially without that familiar sense of home and community around me.

The hardest part of fasting for me isn’t necessarily the hunger, but the mental shift of knowing I won’t eat or drink until sunset. One practical tip I’ve learned is to prioritise hydration between iftar and suhoor (the pre-dawn meal). Drinking enough water genuinely changes how the next day feels. Sudden changes to eating patterns can affect your energy and mood, so I try to include slow-release carbohydrates at suhoor, like overnight oats, to help sustain me through the day.

It’s also helpful if you live with someone else who is fasting. Waking up for suhoor together can make it feel much easier, as you can motivate and support each other through the early start. Even if one of you isn’t fasting, simply keeping each other company can make a real difference.

It's important to note that fasting in Islam is only obligatory for those who are medically fit. Young children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, travellers, and those who are physically or mentally unwell are exempt.

Women who are menstruating are also exempt but must make up for each day missed after the month of Ramadan. They can fast on any day except for Eid.

Also, things like brushing your teeth and swallowing saliva do not break the fast. Even if you eat or drink accidentally, your fast is still valid! Just as long as you immediately stop eating if you remember you’re fasting.

While fasting can seem intense from the outside, it’s a practice Muslims have observed for over 1,400 years. It’s not something we approach with hardship alone but with intention, discipline and spiritual purpose. When practised mindfully, fasting can also bring huge physical benefits, including improved digestion and positive effects on cholesterol and overall wellbeing.

Ramadan at university can be challenging, but it’s also grounding. It reminds me to slow down, reflect and appreciate what I have.

If, like me, you’re feeling slightly homesick, I’d encourage you to join community iftars hosted by KCLSU's Islamic Society.. There are also many open community iftars across London, which you can find here.  Being surrounded by others can make a real difference.

If you need additional support during the holy month, King’s offers wellbeing services and you can also contact our Muslim Chaplains, Imam Abdul Mumin Choudhury and Romana Kazmi.

Most importantly, during this month I’ve learned to be kinder to myself. Ramadan is rooted in forgiveness and mercy, and in Islam God is understood as the Most Merciful. Holding onto that idea helps me give myself grace when my energy dips. That too is part of the journey.

I hope this article offers a small insight into Ramadan and encourages all of us to move through the month with a little more mindfulness and empathy.