Ramadan and Hajj Study Group Pakistan

Safe Fasting in Ramadan with Diabetes

Clear guidance for patients and doctors, before and during the holy month.

Muslims worldwide
1.9 billion
fasting each day
Dawn to dusk
Patient resources
A 3D illustration of a glowing Ramadan lantern, a crescent moon, a bowl of dates, a glass of water and a glucose meter showing a blood drop.

A Safer Hajj for Pilgrims with Diabetes

About 250,000 people with diabetes perform Hajj each year.

pilgrims each year
2.5 million+
of older pilgrims have diabetes
About 10%
Preparing for Hajj
A 3D illustration of the Kaaba on a marble platform circled by pilgrims, with a medical travel bag, an insulin pen and a glucose meter.

Research since 2008

Evidence-based guidelines for fasting with diabetes are lacking. Our studies are building them.

multicentre studies
Multinational
for safe fasting and Hajj
Guidelines
Explore publications
A 3D illustration of a research report with charts, a laboratory flask, a magnifying glass, a capsule, a molecule and an eight-pointed star.

Goals and objectives

Education

To ensure safe fasting during the month of Ramadan and minimize complications during Hajj.

  • Educate patients, doctors and diabetes educators on Ramadan and Hajj specific recommendations
  • Develop guidelines for doctors
  • Produce Ramadan and Hajj-specific educational materials for patients
Educational material

Research

Evidence-based guidelines for safe fasting and safe pilgrimage to Mecca for people with diabetes.

  • Conduct multinational, multicenter studies
  • Develop evidence-based guidelines for safe fasting
  • Develop evidence-based guidelines for safe pilgrimage to Mecca
Our research
A bowl of dates on an iftar table, with bread and oranges

Fasting in Ramadan with diabetes

Healthy adult Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan. Ramadan-specific education is the cornerstone of safe fasting.

  • Diabetes education for Ramadan
  • Guidance for patients and educators
  • Clinical guidelines for doctors
  • Free materials for patients
Fasting with diabetes
Pilgrims in white ihram garments walking near the Kaaba in Mecca

Hajj with diabetes

More than 2.5 million pilgrims attend Hajj each year. Diabetes is increasingly reported as a major cause of illness during Hajj.

  • Poorly controlled blood glucose
  • Severe or repeated low blood sugar
  • Recent ketoacidosis (DKA)
  • Advanced kidney or heart disease
Preparing for Hajj

Top publications

All publications

Our guidelines and studies are listed on the Publications page.

    Our activities

    All activities
    • The stage of the 12th International Diabetes and Ramadan Conference 2026, with the conference banner on a large screen Conference

      International Diabetes and Ramadan Conference

      Hosted by RHSGP for eleven years, with leading international speakers.

      Every year

    • A senior speaker with a microphone talking with doctors seated on red sofas Training

      Workshops for doctors

      Training for general practitioners and family physicians across Pakistan.

      30,000+ doctors trained

    • A speaker at the podium in front of a banner in Urdu reading Ramadan and diabetes awareness programme Awareness

      Ramadan awareness

      Teaching people with diabetes and their families how to fast safely.

      Before every Ramadan

    • A senior speaker at the podium in front of a banner in Urdu reading Diabetes and Hajj awareness programme Awareness

      Hajj awareness

      Pre-Hajj counselling, foot care and diabetes care for doctors and pilgrims.

      Before every Hajj

    Guidelines and patient leaflets are free to download

    Get the guides Browse publications