2024, 2025 and 2026 Muslim holidays in the United Kingdom

Reading the Quran

2024, 2025 and 2026 Muslim Holidays

Islam is the second largest religion in the UK after Christianity. In 2021, the census showed that around a quarter of Brits were Muslim. Happily, despite Islam being a minority religion, it is well-integrated in UK cities and towns.

Blessed with a rich and vibrant culture, Islam observes many important dates throughout the year. One of the most well known is Ramadan, observed in month nine of the Islamic calendar. This month is all about fasting, prayer, communities, and reflection. During this time, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, then they break the fast with a meal known as iftar.

At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr. This is a celebration of going back to be able to eat and drink as normal and the resumption of marital intimacy. Eid is indeed a huge event in the Muslim calendar, and is marked by the gathering of friends and family for a huge feast.

The second most important holiday in Islam is Eid al-Adha. This is a celebration lasting four days. During this time, Muslims gather together and eat meat. This is to commemorate Abraham’s willingness to God to sacrifice his son Isaac.

Photo credits: Robert Couse-Baker / CC-BY 2.0 (Al Isra’ wal Mi’raj) ; Yosef Futsum / Unsplash (Ramadan) ; Momin Bannani from London, UK / CC-BY-SA-2.0 (Laylatul Qadr) ; Rahbar Emamdadi / CC-BY-4.0 (Eid al-Fitr) ; Adli Wahid / CC-BY-SA-4.0 (Dhul Hijjah) ; Richard Mortel / CC-BY-2.0 (Hajj pilgrimage) ; Al Jazeera English / CC-BY-SA 2.0 (Day of ‘Arafah) ; GR Stocks / Unsplash (Day of Ashura)