Muslim Community in UK’s Leicester Getting Ready for Ramadan with Health Event
The NHS has joined forces with the British Islamic Medical Association to help city communities condition their physical and mental health for the holy month.
Ramadan is known as the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, and is set to start this year on Wednesday, March 22, running until Friday, April 21. The health event will take place on Saturday, March 4, at the Jamia Masjid Bilal on Evington Valley Road, between 12 noon and 4pm.
Residents will have to opportunity to speak to local health professionals about their wellbeing and discuss healthier lifestyle choices tailored to the community. Information will also be readily available about conditions such as diabetes, menopause, heart disease, immunizations, and respiratory disease and there will be opportunities to have health checks including blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Leicester GP Dr Fahad Rizvi said: “Ramadan brings a huge opportunity to revisit our routines and think about our health, as well as the wellbeing of those around us. We want to help our community to plan ahead for a happy and healthy Ramadan.
“Please come and talk to health professionals about your faith and your physical and mental health. This is particularly important if you have an existing medical condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or epilepsy, and want to talk about your medication and changes to your daily routine.”
Dr Rizvi added: “This is a time when many people come together as families and communities. As the COVID virus is still circulating, you should get your first and second primary COVID vaccination dose if you have not already had them.
"Having a vaccination during Ramadan won’t invalidate your fast, and evidence shows it is the safest way to boost your immunity against the virus, protecting yourselves and loved ones.”
President of BIMA Dr Salman Waqar added: “Ramadan is an exciting time for us and our families. As we alter our routines to accommodate the fast to seek the spiritual benefits of the month, we can also look to material gains in our health.
“This can be through maintaining the Ramadan spirit and discipline in moderating our diet to lose weight, stopping smoking, and continuing to practise mindfulness to promote good mental health. Ramadan can be demanding to those with some long-term health conditions, and they should seek the advice of a clinician on how they should approach Ramadan.”
Source: leicestermercury.co.uk
