Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin around February 18 or 19, with Muslims observing daily fasts from dawn to sunset. Suhoor, iftar timings and fasting hours vary by country.
Ramadan 2026 Dates: In 2026, Ramadan is expected to begin around the evening of February 18 or 19. The final date is decided after people see the new crescent moon. Each country checks the moon in its own way. That is why some countries may start fasting a day before or after others.
The month will continue for 29 or 30 days. It is expected to end with Eid al-Fitr around March 19 or 20, 2026. Even if dates differ slightly between countries, the meaning of the month stays the same for Muslims everywhere.
How Fasting works during Ramadan?
During Ramadan, Muslims fast every day from dawn until sunset. This means they do not eat food, drink water or smoke, or have intimate relations during fasting hours. The fast begins at the time of the Fajr prayer and ends at the Maghrib prayer.
Suhoor
Each fasting day has two important meals. The first one is Suhoor. This is eaten before dawn. It must be finished before the Fajr call to prayer. Once dawn starts, the fast begins.
Iftar
The second meal is Iftar. This happens at sunset. Many people break their fast with dates and water, then eat a bigger meal with family.
Along with fasting, Muslims pray more, read the Quran often, give charity, and spend more time with family and community. Ramadan is not only about staying hungry. It is also about self control, kindness, and thinking about others.
Ramadan remembers the time when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad more than 1,400 years ago. It is the holiest month in Islam. The fast helps people grow closer to God and build taqwa, which means being aware of God. By giving up comfort during the day, people learn patience, gratitude, compassion for the poor people, stronger self discipline, and a deeper spiritual connection.
Fasting Hours Around the World in 2026
Because Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, it moves earlier each year on the normal calendar. In 2026, it will fall in late winter and early spring in the Northern Hemisphere. This means fasting hours will be moderate compared to long summer days. Most places will see fasting times between 12 and 15 hours, depending on where they are.
Gold Rate Today (17 Feb 2026): Gold at ₹1.53 Lakh/10g, Silver Down; Should You Buy the Dip?
Northern Hemisphere
In regions such as:
- India
- Middle East countries
- Europe
- North America
Fasting hours at the start of the month are expected to be around 12 to 14 hours. In countries further north like the UK the fast may last a little longer.
Southern Hemisphere
In countries such as:
- Australia
- Chile
- South Africa
Fasting may begin at about 14 to 15 hours each day, then slowly become shorter as the month goes on. Places closer to the poles may see bigger changes, but since Ramadan 2026 comes near the spring equinox, the difference between countries will not be as extreme as in peak summer months.
Exact daily prayer and fasting times change slightly every day. Muslims follow official local timetables from mosques or Islamic groups in their city.
Some early examples for Ramadan 2026 are:
- Dubai, UAE: Suhoor ~5:32 AM, Iftar ~6:30 PM
- New Delhi, India: Suhoor ~5:37 AM, Iftar ~6:33 PM
- Rabat, Morocco: Suhoor ~5:44 AM, Iftar ~6:39 PM
- Colombo, Sri Lanka: Suhoor ~5:17 AM, Iftar ~6:22 PM
- Lisbon, Portugal: Suhoor ~5:55 AM, Iftar ~6:18 PM
- Bangkok, Thailand: Suhoor ~5:28 AM, Iftar ~6:24 PM
These times will move a little each day as sunrise and sunset shift. Some countries depend only on physical moon sightings. Others also use astronomical calculations.