Ramadan can be a difficult time for Muslims with diabetes, as many agonise over the decision about whether to fast.

The main problem is that blood glucose levels can go either dangerously high or dangerously low during the fast. This is why Muslims with diabetes do not have to fast. Diabetes UK is holding talks at local mosques ahead of Ramadan and is recruiting for two new local volunteers to help educate people with diabetes on how to fast safely during Ramadan, if they choose to fast.

One of the volunteers will help give advice at these talks so we can make sure people with diabetes and their families have the information they need to help them make an informed decision about whether to fast or not.

We would like the other volunteer to contribute to the Diabetes UK blogging site by sharing their experiences about how they themselves or a close family member cope with diabetes during religious observance.

The volunteers will be invited along to a training session, where any questions can be answered, and they will be given presentations, information flyers and videos.

Anyone who is thinking about fasting throughout Ramadan should talk to their healthcare professional and their Imam to come to a decision that is right for them.

To sign up, please call Diabetes UK London office on 020 7424 1116 or email london@diabetes. org.uk

Ruth Szotten

Diabetes UK