In 2026, Eid al-Fitr is expected to take place on the evening of Thursday, March 19th, with celebrations continuing into Friday, March 20th. As with all Islamic festivals, the exact date is tentative as it depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon (the Hilal).
Eid al-Fitr, or the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is a joyous time for Muslims globally. It marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, prayer, and self-reflection. For our pupils, it’s a brilliant opportunity to explore themes of gratitude, community, and discipline.
To help you bring this into your lessons, I’ve put together a few active and informative tasks that work across different ages and stages:
1. Expressive Arts & Numeracy: The Islamic Art Guide
I have created a step-by-step guide to Islamic Art, encouraging pupils to explore the beauty of non-figural patterns.
- The Task: Using iPads and the Sketchbook app, pupils can use the radial symmetry tool to create intricate geometric stars. Alternatively, this works beautifully on paper with a compass and ruler.
- Curriculum Links: This lesson hits a number of cross-curricular themes, including Numeracy (symmetry, angles, and tessellation) and Expressive Arts. It is perfect for upper primary or secondary classes.
2. Literacy and HWB: The “Ramadan Break” in Elite Sport
For secondary pupils, I have adapted a BBC News article regarding the “fast-breaking pauses” now seen in the Premier League.
- The Task: Pupils read about how referees pause matches to allow players like Mohamed Salah to break their fast mid-game.
- Curriculum Links: This builds Literacy skills through comprehension and Health and Wellbeing by sparking important conversations about physical endurance, mental discipline, and inclusion in sport. We even look at a “debate” case study from France to get pupils thinking critically!