Local health leaders at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust are encouraging everyone to observe Ramadan and Vaisakhi safely this year. – and to not delay in getting their first, or second, dose of the Covid-19 vaccination during Ramadan.

Ramadan, which began yesterday (April 12) is usually a time for the Muslim community to gather with friends and family and in Mosques to break the fast and pray together.

Mosques will be open this year, unlike in 2020, but unfortunately the public are still instructed to not mix with other households and for Mosques keep practicing social distancing to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

The Sikh religious festival of Vaisakhi which takes place today (April 13), celebrates the Punjabi new year and the day when Sikhism began as a collective faith. It marks the foundation of the Khalsa – the brotherhood of the Sikh faith – by the 10th master, Guru Gobind Singh, in April 1699.

With the current government restrictions, this does mean certain traditions, like large iftar (the meal to break fasting) gatherings or visiting family and friends indoors, should be avoided. The processional singing of holy hymns will take place online instead of at the temples.

With Ramadan looking so different this year, the Muslim Council of Britain are recommending a number of ways Muslims across Britain can enjoy Ramadan both socially and spiritually.

The #SafeRamadan guidance offers alternatives like virtual iftars, tuning into local Mosque's live streaming and small outdoor gatherings between households, providing they follow local lockdown rules.

To bust a number of Covid myths in circulation, the British Islamic Medical Association have consulted with Islamic scholars and are advising that receiving the Covid vaccine does not invalidate the fast. It is not nutrition, nor does the vaccine contain any pork or other animal, foetal or alcohol products meaning that you should not delay in receiving the vaccine, if you have been invited for your first or second dose.

Full ingredient lists are published by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA): AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna.

Rano Bains, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at CWPT wants to encourage all those in the Muslim and Sikh community of Coventry and Warwickshire who have been invited to receive their vaccine:

"Much like in 2020, this Ramadan and Vaisakhi will continue to look very different but the vast majority of scholars have deemed taking the Covid-19 vaccine whilst fasting during Ramadan as permissible, and it remains the most effective and best way of protecting yourself and your loved ones.

"If you have concerns about the vaccine, please talk to a healthcare professional."

Dr Sharon Binyon, Medical Director at CWPT also wants to stress the importance of looking after your physical and mental wellbeing: "As we enter the month of Ramadan and our Sikh community celebrate Vaisakhi, I hope that you will have the chance to mark these with your friends and family.

"We have been in one form of lockdown or another for over a year now and whilst we are all hoping to be gradually lifting these restrictions, it is vitally important that whilst observing these important events you continue to follow social distancing guidance and only meet with six people or two households outside or consider celebrating with family online."

For more information about fasting during Ramadan, the Muslim Council have developed some in-depth guides.

For more information about the Covid-19 vaccine, including FAQs and more information about the vaccine being free of pork products, visit the Covid-19 vaccination pages on the website.