How to strengthen family ties during Ramadan?

Allocate time for visiting relatives

• Arrange a weekly schedule for visiting family: Especially for the elderly who may need more emotional support.
• Share iftar with relatives: Each family can take turns hosting iftar throughout the month.

Remote communication when visiting is not possible

• Use phone calls or video calls: To check on the well-being of relatives, especially those living in distant areas.
• Create a family group on messaging apps: To share prayers and remind everyone of family appointments and gatherings.

Exchange Ramadan Gifts

• Send Ramadan baskets to relatives: Containing dates, water and traditional foods.
• Prepare iftar meals and send them to needy family members: A gesture of sharing and caring.

Revive family Ramadan traditions

• Hold weekly family gatherings: To discuss religious topics or narrate stories from the biography of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
• Organise a collective family iftar: At mosques or open spaces to enhance bonding and unity.

Participate in charitable activities with the family

• Plan charitable family initiatives: Such as distributing food to the poor.
• Contribute to supporting an orphan or assisting a needy person: In the name of the family.

Repair broken relationships

• Utilise Ramadan's blessings for reconciliation: Between those who are estranged or in conflict.
• Apologise and initiate ways to reconnect: Even if it is just through a Ramadan greeting message.

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How to make Ramadan an opportunity to strengthen family bonds?

Ramadan is the month of mercy and forgiveness, and it offers a golden opportunity to strengthen the relationships between family members. This can be achieved through a variety of activities and traditions that create a warm atmosphere full of love and communication. Here are some ideas to help make Ramadan a time for families to come together:

Allocate time for family worship

• Read the Qur'an together: Set a specific time each day for Qur'an recitals, where each family member reads a part or a page, and discusses its meanings.
• Perform prayers as a congregation: Whether at home or at the mosque, congregational prayers unity within the family.
• Allocate time for Dhikr and Du'a sessions: After the Taraweeh prayer, allocate short sessions to recite specific dhikrs and supplications for Ramadan.

Organise family iftar and suhoor meals

• Prepare iftar together: Involving children in preparing the iftar table promotes co-operation and a sense of responsibility.
• Sit together for iftar without distractions: Make it a time for family communication, free from phones and distractions.
• Share responsibilities to do with preparing  suhoor: Assign each family member a day to be in charge of preparing suhoor, ensuring everyone participates in the spirit of Ramadan.

Promote the values of giving and co-operation

• Engage in charitable acts as a family: Activities such as preparing meals for those fasting or distributing dates and water before iftar can be a great way to give back.
• Visit relatives and neighbours: Strengthen family ties by exchanging visits or sending iftar meals to relatives and neighbours.

Encourage children to fast in an inspirational way

• ‘Little Fasting Day’ Challenge: Reward children who manage to fast for longer hours each day.
• Good deeds box: Create a box for the family where each member records their good deeds, encouraging everyone to increase their acts of kindness.
• Schedule light physical activities and engage in light sports such as walking together with family members after iftar to enhance health and communication.
• Reduce electronic device use and set aside an hour each day where the family disconnects from all screens to spend quality time together.

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