Navigating Ramadan with an Eating Disorder

With Carine el Khazan
One of the main pillars of Islam is fasting. Muslims are requested to fast during Ramadan - the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. During daylight hours, they abstain from food and drink, sexual activity and smoking, breaking the fast with a meal after sunset. Those who are elderly, ill, pregnant or breast-feeding are exempt, and children are not required to participate.
“Fast the prescribed number of days, except if one of you is ill or on a journey, (…) for those who cannot endure it for medical reasons, there is a ransom, the feeding of the poor person for each missed day”. (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 184)
Ramadan is a time of self-reflection and devotion that many Muslims around the world look forward to. However, for people suffering from Eating Disorders, it is risky to fast as there is a high probably of relapse especially if one hasn't fully recovered.
We will present the risks of fasting in detail, explain why sufferers are exempt from fasting, and provide information for carers on how to support their loved ones during this difficult period.