Eid after Ramadan: a time to celebrate with compassion, health and stewardship
By Dr Shireen Kassam, Founder and Director, Plant-Based Health Professionals UK
Eid al-Fitr follows the most sacred month in the muslim calendar and is a moment of happiness and joy. The word Eid means celebration or festival and Eid al-Fitr is the festival of the breaking of the fast. After a month of fasting, reflection and spiritual renewal, we gather with family and our communities to give thanks, share food and express gratitude for our blessings. It is a celebration rooted in compassion, self-discipline and generosity.
But as we prepare our festive tables, it is worth asking: how do our food choices reflect the very values Ramadan has strengthened within us?
As a Muslim and a physician, I believe that choosing a more plant-based way to celebrate Eid is not only consistent with Islamic ethics, it is a powerful expression of them.
Islamic ethics: moderation, mercy and stewardship
The Qur’an and the Sunnah provide a framework for living that prioritises balance (mīzān), moderation and compassion. The Prophet Muhammad did not eat meat daily; in fact, historical accounts suggest it was consumed occasionally and in moderation. Excess was discouraged. Ramadan itself trains us in restraint and self-control, qualities that should not disappear once the fast ends.
A recent qualitative study of British Muslims explored attitudes to meat consumption and plant-based diets. The researchers found that while meat is often perceived as a “God-given blessing”, participants also recognised the prophetic tradition of moderation and the Islamic duty of stewardship over the Earth. Importantly, environmental responsibility, being “custodians of the earth”, emerged as a core Islamic value, even if not always translated into daily dietary practice.
Health as an Islamic obligation
Islam teaches that our bodies are an amanah – a trust. We are responsible for preserving our health. Yet we know that in the UK, high meat consumption is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. The same study highlights that British Muslims face disproportionate rates of diet-related disease and often consume more meat than the national average. The participants also identified health as a key motivator for reducing meat intake. This aligns with the scientific evidence: well-planned plant-based diets are associated with lower risks of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and some cancers. They are also rich in fibre, phytonutrients and antioxidants, nutrients notably absent in animal products.
Rethinking meat as a “blessing”
The study describes how meat is often framed as a blessing, particularly in the context of Eid. Yet a blessing is not something to be exploited without limit. A blessing calls for gratitude, humility and responsibility.
In today’s world of industrial animal agriculture, the scale and conditions of meat production sit uneasily alongside Islamic teachings on mercy towards animals and environmental care. With 85% of farm animals in the UK raised in industrial factory farms, which are known to disregard the rights of animals, eating their flesh can no longer be regarded as desirable.
Eid as an opportunity for leadership
Food is central to Eid celebrations. Hospitality is a cherished part of our culture. But generosity does not require excess meat. A beautifully prepared plant-based feast – fragrant lentil dishes, spiced chickpeas, vegetable biryanis, stuffed vine leaves, fresh salads, dates and desserts – honours our culinary heritage while aligning with our ethics.
The study also highlights the powerful role of community norms and religious leaders in shaping dietary habits. Imagine if our faith leaders spoke more openly about compassion towards animals, environmental stewardship and health as religious responsibilities.
A compassionate celebration
Ramadan and Eid is an opportunity to align our faith with our ethics. As we break our fast for the final time and celebrate Eid, we can extend compassion beyond ourselves, to our communities, to animals and to the planet.
Resources
Animal Welfare in World Religion: Teaching and Practice, by Joyce D’Silva
Mulla Z, Coupe N. Halal and healthy: A qualitative study of British Muslim perspectives on meat consumption and plant-based diets. Appetite. 2026 Feb 6;221:108496. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2026.108496