A little kindness and understanding goes a long way

If one of your flatmates is observing Ramadan, you don't need to know all of the details to be supportive. All it takes is some small, thoughtful choices in your shared space to make the environment feel more respectful for everyone.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is a holy month in Islam, the month when the Holy Qur'an was revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. During this month many Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, which means no eating or drinking between the hours of sunrise and sunset. It's also a time for prayer, reflection, community and charity. 

What is Eid?

Eid (often Eid al-Fitr) is the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan. There are lots of ways people celebrate this, usually involving food with family and friends, prayer and community celebrations. 

Here's five ways to support your flatmates during this time:

1. Ask what they would find helpful

A quick, casual check-in can make things feel easy to navigate. Think of asking questions like...

"Do you want the kitchen at a certain time for Suhoor or Iftar?"

"Do you need the living room at certain times for prayer, or do you have your own space sorted?"

Some people love talking about it, others prefer to keep it low key. So let them lead, and keep the comfortable communication going. 

2. Check in every now and then

Don't forget to keep checking in throughout the month. 

Simply talking about your feelings over a walk around campus or offering words of encouragement can really help to boost each other's energy and mood.

3. Be considerate during mealtimes

Your flatmate may be in the kitchen early for Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and late for Iftar (after-sunset meal), so kitchen routines and noise in the flat may change during Ramadan. Here's some easy things you can do to keep this communal area open and welcoming at all times. 

• Keep the kitchen clean and tidy (avoid leaving your washing up for hours if you know they'll be using the space soon).
• If you are cooking something with a strong smell, give your flatmate a quick heads up.
• Offer to join in during Suhoor or Iftar so they don't have to eat alone.

4. Be mindful of noise

Your flatmates – and others in your accommodation – may use the evenings for prayer. So it's important that when you're planning social events you keep this in mind. If you want to meet up late with friends, do it in public spaces or at their accommodation instead.

Or if they're finding sleep difficult, be sure not to slam doors and wear headphones. 

5. Remember to wish them Eid Mubarak

The first day of Eid is expected to fall on either Thursday 19th March or Friday 20th March this year, depending on the sighting of the moon. This marks the end of Ramadan, so don't forget to wish your Muslim flatmates or friends 'Eid Murabak' – which means celebration and blessings in Arabic. 

Small acts like these can make your flat a welcoming space for everyone. If you're ever unsure how best to support, simply ask them what would help the most this month and take it from there.