Smoke Free Ramadan Campaign 2009

Working in association with regional Primary Care Trusts and the National Health Service, this years project aims to improve on last years impressive and successful campaign which saw over 100,000 free Healthy Eating Guide & Ramadan timetables distributed in 100 Mosques across the UK.

Ramadan which will fall between 22nd August and 21st September this year, is a time when Muslims abstain from food, drink and for those who smoke, cigarettes, during daylight hours. Hence it is the ideal time to help the large number of Muslim smokers in the UK, to give up smoking. The Muslim Health Network is currently liaising with PCT's, and smoking cessation departments throughout the UK to offer a service that can disseminate important, dedicated and directed smoking cessation information to the Muslim community and help people kick the habit!

This year the enhanced campaign will feature a 3 staged process. It will begin with a poster, pop-up banner and leaflet campaign to start in mid July, the Ramadan timetables will be delivered shortly before the start of Ramadan with all participating Mosques and community groups announcing the launch and availability of timetables containing local smoking cessation contact and advice line details, to their congregations and members. Arrangements will also be made with central Mosques from whom permission will be sought to allow the set-up of a local PCT led information stand one Friday before the commencement of Ramadan.

The final stage of the campaign will encourage those who have been able to give up smoking or have reduced their intake, to keep on track and give up for life. Mosque Imams will be requested to dedicate one Friday sermon to the effects and harm of smoking on ones health, family and quality of life.

The Network undertakes all aspects of project delivery, including Mosque liaison, design, print, collation and distribution of Ramadan (Fasting) Timetables to Mosques within your area for the Ramadan period. A period when large numbers of Muslims attend the Mosque for worship and are guaranteed to collect and use the Ramadan/prayer timetable on a daily basis.

The cut-off date for ordering timetables alone is Wednesday 12th August 2009.

For further details, please contact this years project co-ordinator Yeasin Ahmed on 020 8799 4475 or email yeasin@muslimhealthnetwork.org