About Ramadan
Ramadan is a holy month for our Muslim students and staff – it is a time of spiritual devotion, increased prayers, charity, generosity, and reading the Qur’an. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast between dawn and sunset and dedicate more time to prayer throughout the day.
Ramadan ends with a three-day celebration called Eid ul-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, which is a celebration of joy, gift-giving and lively gatherings with friends and family.
Ramadan follows the lunar calendar; thus, the dates of Ramadan change each year, commencing 10-11 days earlier than the year before.
In 2026, Ramadan is anticipated – depending on the moon’s cycle – to begin on the evening of 17 or 18 February, and end on 19 or 20 March.
Supporting friends and colleagues during Ramadan
We share this information because Ramadan may impact some of our students and staff during classes and we want to ensure they feel supported. This is part of our broader commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all.
As the month of Ramadan has been getting successively earlier in the calendar year, this means that there are longer hours of daylight over the summer months and, therefore, longer fasting hours.
Understanding how to support colleagues during Ramadan is important in creating a safe and inclusive environment to study, work and live. Some practical tips include:
- Be considerate when making plans. Consider hosting events earlier in the day and be willing to be flexible with times. Avoid scheduling events and travel in the afternoon.
- Avoid food or drink-focused study or social events during Ramadan such as study group lunch events or coffee catch ups.
- Check in on your Muslim friends. Sometimes, simply checking in can help people feel cared for and supported.
Everyone plays a part in ensuring a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for our community, and we thank you for your consideration of your friends and colleagues during this time.
La Trobe has Muslim prayer rooms across our Bendigo, Bundoora (Melbourne) and City campuses that are available to students and staff.
If you would like to learn more about Ramadan, more information can be found on the Islamic Networks Group website or the Islam Online website.