Author: Dr Mary Hunter & Dr Mamnun Khan
Published on: February 9, 2026
Equi Ramadan Series #1
Ramadan in the UK is no longer something that happens quietly behind closed doors. It has become a recognised moment in the British calendar – a month that enriches society and brings benefits to Muslims and non‑Muslims alike. As part of the Equi Ramadan Series, this article explores how media coverage of Ramadan can help build a more socially cohesive society, based on mutual tolerance and understanding.
Content celebrating key events in the religious calendar, such as Ramadan, has become a staple in the British media cycle. Media coverage of different faiths should be encouraged, as it can help promote social cohesion, which is much needed in the current climate of division and polarisation.
Research shows that learning about other religions can help improve an appreciation of diverse viewpoints. Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, and for those without faith, are key values that provide the foundation of a fair and socially cohesive society. The media plays a key role in this context, as it can help promote understanding and counter misinformation that risks fuelling division.
Every year, British broadcasters and media outlets produce engaging programmes and articles about festivals from many different faith traditions, such as Christmas, Diwali, Passover and Ramadan. Faith-specific media content, including online content, has thus now become a key aspect of acknowledging and celebrating multifaith Britain.
This acknowledgement, and celebration of different worldviews and religious practices in the media is an asset for multicultural Britain. Content on Ramadan benefits both Muslims, who see their faith represented in the mainstream media, and those of other (or no) faith, as it allows everyone to better understand and jointly celebrate the multicultural character of British society.
Celebrating our shared multifaith heritage is made all the more imperative by growing racism and anti-Muslim hostility in public and political discourse, often fuelled by misinformation. Equi research has shown the significant cost of this hostility and the risk it poses to social cohesion, community relations and the economic prosperity of this country.
British media produce diverse articles and shows during Ramadan. No one is left out of this equation, with media outlets tailoring Ramadan-specific programmes to both children and adults. The introduction of children to the significance of Ramadan not only allows young British Muslims to relate positively to their faith identity, but it also fosters interfaith understanding and tolerance in the minds of all children.
The BBC has a particularly impressive record of reaching children. Through Newsround, it provides explainers to children about what Ramadan is and what happens during the holy month, as well as, for example, how Physical Education lessons can be adapted while Muslim students are fasting. These materials are not solely informational but interactive: children can quiz themselves on how much they know about Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr on CBeebies. BBC Bitesize even provides teaching resources for primary schools for around the time of Ramadan.
A commitment to cultivating social cohesion should not end with adulthood, and so the way that the media communicates to adults about faith-based festivals is also important. For adults, entire series are dedicated to Ramadan each year. Channel 4’s ‘4Ramadan’ includes a guide to the month, daily sermons and Ramadan diaries containing personal reflections, while the BBC Asian Network commissions Ultimate Playlists and podcast series for Ramadan. ITV also released a documentary presented by Shehab Khan called ‘Ramadan: A Journey Across Britain,’ which won the 2025 Radio Times Readers’ Award for its portrayal of how British Muslims observe Ramadan.
These programmes reflect how Muslim identities in the UK are shaped by diverse religious and cultural influences from around the world, but also how they have taken on a quintessential British nature. In 2025, Jason Mohammad introduced Eid al-Fitr prayers live from Bradford Central Mosque on the BBC, a first for a UK terrestrial broadcaster, allowing Britons from all faith backgrounds and none to participate in this key event in the British faith calendar.
By celebrating British Muslim identities and their place in UK society, Ramadan programmes highlight the multicultural nature of our society and stress the fact that Britons of all faiths and none belong. In making space for Ramadan in the media, we tell a powerful story: Britain is a multicultural, multifaith society – and it is stronger for it.
Read more:
About the Equi Ramadan Series: A five-part exploration of the often under-recognised contribution Ramadan makes to everyday life and social cohesion in modern Britain. The series builds towards Ramadan 2026 and previews an upcoming short report, Ramadan: Breaking Fast, Building Britain, to be published during the holy month.
Dr Mary Hunter is a Senior Researcher at Equi. Mary has previously worked for several think tanks. Most recently, she was Director of Research at the Policy Research Institute for South Asia (PRISA), with a focus on UK-South Asia relations. Prior to that, she was a Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Strategic and Contemporary Research (CSCR) in Pakistan researching cultural relations between the UK and Pakistan.
Dr. Mamnun Khan, the author of Being British Muslims: Beyond Ethnocentric Religion and Identity Politics, is a British Muslim thinker and writer who explores identity, Islam, and the social integration of Muslims in contemporary Britain. His work critically examines the challenges and opportunities faced by British Muslims, advocating for a balanced God-centred approach that transcends ethnocentrism and ideological extremes.
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