Reflections on Ramadan

SLTs Fatimah Bint-Hanif and Meriem Amer-El-Khedoud reflect on observing Ramadan as speech and language therapists and the impact and response from the RCSLT Ramadan guidance.

 

Ramadan is a time to pause, reset, and reflect on life’s simple blessings. It is more than just fasting – it is a journey of self-awareness, gratitude, and mindfulness. This sacred month encourages us to strengthen our faith, deepen our connections with family, friends, and community, and embrace generosity. As speech and language therapists, it also invites us to reflect on how our daily work fosters connection, reminding us to approach each interaction with empathy, gratitude and cultural humility.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is a sacred month in the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide through fasting from pre-dawn to sunset. Fasting involves abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours, but it is also a time for spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and strengthening connections with others.

Though balancing our roles as Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) while fasting can be challenging, small adjustments, like flexible schedules and understanding from our colleagues, make a difference. Creating workplaces that are not only welcoming but also genuinely affirming of diverse experiences.

Awareness of Ramadan and its impact can lead to meaningful adjustments, ensuring that colleagues and clients feel seen and supported.

Last year, alongside Amena Umer-Kidia, we collaborated with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) to develop Ramadan Guidance. This resource supports the speech and language therapy (SLT) community, workplaces, universities, and healthcare settings in better understanding Ramadan and how to support Muslim colleagues and clients.

The guidance was created to address the lack of clear information on Ramadan, its significance, impact, and the best ways to offer support. Our aim was to develop something practical and respectful by centring lived experiences and gathering feedback from both Muslim and non-Muslim colleagues.

As Muslim SLTs, we often find that shared experiences with fasting service users foster deeper understanding and connection. Writing the guidance reinforced the importance of open conversations in professional spaces, encouraging discussions about faith, identity, and patient-centred care.

Since its publication, we have been heartened by the response from both Muslim and non-Muslim SLT colleagues. Many have shared how it has opened up important conversations around inclusion, prompting meaningful changes in their workplaces and universities. Some positive developments include:

• Adjustments for student SLTs on placement.
• Teams being more mindful when scheduling meetings.
• Greater consideration of flexibility for clients.
• Therapy sessions adapted to service users’ needs.
• Workplaces, such as Barts Health NHS Trust’s Paediatric SLT Team, organising a Ramadan event for team members, with plans for another this year.

One key message we hope readers take from the guidance is the importance of listening and continuous learning.

While Ramadan is the focus, the principles of cultural competence, adaptability, and respect extend beyond this one month. As SLTs, we work with people from diverse backgrounds, each with unique identities and experiences shaping their communication needs.

Throughout Ramadan, @SLTeaTime will share reflections from Muslim and non-Muslim SLTs to explore its significance and discuss ways to support colleagues, families, and clients.

We wish a Ramadan Mubarak to everyone observing this sacred month. ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ translates to ‘Happy Ramadan’ – a thoughtful greeting you can share to acknowledge this special time.

When is Ramadan 2025?

In 2025, Ramadan is expected to begin around 28 February and will last either 29 or 30 days, depending on the lunar calendar. It concludes with Eid al-Fitr, a celebration marked by prayers, gatherings, and acts of generosity.