How to Pitch Stories About Ramadan, the Islamic Holy Month
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan is underway and, as usual, I experience it as both a practicing Muslim and a writer.
Because of that duality, I think about the possibilities of writing about the holy month, during which Muslims are called to fast from food, water, and other vices during daylight hours.
Observing Ramadan is one of the five pillars, or requirements, of Islam, along with a declaration of faith, praying, tithing, and making a pilgrimage to Mecca. That means one in four people in the world and 4.5 million Americans are observing this month of reflection and prayer.
Here are the types of stories I would cover about Ramadan– hopefully this will spark ideas for other writers who cover faith-related topics.
Not Everyone Starts Ramadan on the Same Day—Although Some U.S. Muslims Want to Change That
The start of Ramadan is determined by the advent of the new moon. But there’s disagreement over when that is. As the home of Islam’s most important mosque, Saudi Arabia is a heavyweight in Muslim decision-making, and declared that the crescent moon was visible Feb. 17, despite other clerics’ doubts. Some U.S. Muslims have had enough of international politicking over the lunar calendar and say local imams should sight the moon, as did the early Muslims. Yet another group says it isn’t necessary to sight the moon, and instead, plot out the lunar calendar using scientific calculations, creating stability for western institutions.
A writer covering this angle of the month could exam which group is winning in the ongoing struggle over when to start fast and feast days, and the importance of a unified Islamic calendar to the diverse American Muslim community.
A Guide to Ramadan for Non-Muslims
Common Ramadan-related articles are listicles and guides for non-Muslims on the etiquette of this fasting month. One guide I haven’t seen is how to write about Islam. “Muslim” is the adjective used for people, and “Islamic” refers to inanimate things.
If you are planning an interview with a practicing Muslim during Ramadan, it’s better not to do it in a sports bar or at sundown. Also, Sunni and Shia Islam have slightly different practices, so it’s important to know your source.
Ramadan—There’s an App for That?
Technology, science, and education writers might examine the detailed mathematical calculations being used by apps that show Muslims when and in what direction to pray, another important part of Ramadan.
Writers could delve into how accurate the apps are, or if this is yet another field where AI will play a role.
How Athletes “Just Do It” During Ramadan?
This year, the start of Ramadan coincided with the Winter Olympics, which got me thinking about sports angles for reporting on how Muslim athletes observe Ramadan. Next year and the year after that, the holy month will drop back 10 to 12 days in the western calendar, putting it squarely within U.S. football playoff season. Abdul Carter plays for the New York Giants, and Azeez Al-Shaair for the Houston Texans, and both are accustomed to fasting for Ramadan. Legendary boxer Muhammed Ali trained at night and fasted in the day, but team sports pose more of a challenge.
Connecting Black History Month and Ramadan
For the next three years, Ramadan will intersect with Black History Month, providing any number of possible story ideas about the one in five American Muslims who are Black. One option for writers interested in history could be finding new angles on the up to 30% of enslaved Africans who were Muslims. For example, Bilali Muhammad (Belali), an enslaved Fula Muslim driver on a Georgia plantation, wrote a manuscript in Arabic that’s archived in the University of Georgia library. The document describes contemporary religious practices, including Ramadan, and the subterfuge he and others used to practice, while slave owners often tried to enforce Christianity.
How are Immigration Crackdowns Affecting Ramadan Practices?
Political or local reporters could look into whether Muslims being held in immigration detention facilities are being allowed to observe Ramadan. Advocates for Leqaa Kordia, a New Jersey woman who wears a hijab and has been detained for 11 months despite courts ordering her release, say that her religious rights are not being respected.
During Ramadan, Muslims often stay up late to consume more calories, pray or enjoy friendly cafes. Writers could explore whether their local Muslim communities are fearful about gathering, like the Somali community in Minnesota.
How to Stay Healthy While Fasting
Health writers might want to dig into the health issues that Muslims confront while fasting. While eating fewer meals, Muslims often consume most of their calories at night and can gain weight. Those pregnant, breastfeeding, or with serious health conditions are exempt from fasting and pay a special tithe instead. But the rest of the observant need advice on managing conditions like menopause or mental health without daytime medications. A recent Saturday Night Live skit imagined Ozempic for Ramadan—a shot that staves off hunger. But real-life Muslims using GLP-1 medications are being warned of the dangers of taking these drugs while fasting.
With Precious Metal Values Rising, How Does it Affect Islamic Giving?
Personal finance writers have options for writing about the month, too. During Ramadan, many Muslims will pay a tithe called zakat. Tithing is governed by strict rules, and the amount one pays is determined by their wealth, including their disposable income and assets. The threshold for determining if someone must tithe is set based on the price of gold or silver, both of which have recently skyrocketed.
With the boom in personal investing and an Islamic prohibition on benefiting from interest, Islamic finance is a growing sector for banks and consumers – and a topic ripe for coverage for enterprising finance writers. (For examples of tools Muslims use to invest in line with Islamic precepts, check out the apps Zoya Finance and Wahed Invest, along with Saturna Capital.)
Don’t Forget The Memes
Finally, even Ramadan has its memes. Muslim pet lovers are sharing videos of bemused cats wondering why their families are awake and eating breakfast before dawn.
Caught Your Attention? Attend the Religion Book Session at the 2026 ASJA Conference for More Tips and Ideas
If this piqued your interest in writing about Islam or other faiths, or you want to expand your current faith-based work into writing books, don’t miss the 2026 ASJA conference April 20-22, “Freelancers’ Blueprint: Navigating a Shifting Landscape.” The conference schedule includes a session titled: “Devout Deadlines: How to Write and Sell Religious/Spiritual Books.”
Sales of religious books are booming, increasing 18% from 2023 to 2024 to reach more than $900 million, far surpassing growth of overall book industry sales. The session features experienced faith-based panelists who will provide tips on how to write into belief and break into this growing market, including ASJA member and my DEAI Committee Co-Chair Lisa A. Crayton. Get more information and register here.
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Charmaine Seitz is a writer and graphic designer who supports non-profit organizations through her business, Seitz Communications. She is writing a memoir about the nearly two decades she spent reporting on politics and religion from the Palestinian town of Ramallah for The Economist, The Nation, San Francisco Chronicle, In These Times, and other publications. Seitz has a Masters in Comparative Religion, and serves on the ASJA board and as ASJA’s DEAI Committee Co-Chair.