As the crescent moon was sighted on Tuesday, February 17th, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have announced that Ramadan will begin on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026. This marks the start of the holy month of fasting for Muslims worldwide, a period of spiritual reflection and devotion observed from dawn until dusk. The timing of Ramadan is determined by the lunar Islamic calendar, leading to variations in start dates each year.
For Muslims, Ramadan commemorates the month when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over 1,400 years ago. During this time, those observing the fast abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sexual relations during daylight hours, aiming to cultivate greater “taqwa,” or consciousness of God. The duration of the fast varies significantly depending on geographical location, with those closer to the equator experiencing longer fasting periods.
Fasting Hours Across the Globe
The length of the daily fast is directly tied to the number of daylight hours, which fluctuate with the seasons. In 2026, those in the Northern Hemisphere will experience relatively shorter fasts, lasting approximately 12 to 13 hours on the first day of Ramadan, with the duration gradually increasing throughout the month. Conversely, Muslims in countries like Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa will observe longer fasts, ranging from 14 to 15 hours initially, though these will also decrease as the month progresses. This variation is due to the Earth’s tilt and its orbit around the sun, impacting daylight hours differently across the globe.
The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar Hijri calendar, which consists of months lasting 29 or 30 days. Because the lunar year is approximately 11 days shorter than the solar year, Ramadan shifts earlier by roughly 10 to 12 days each year. Interestingly, projections indicate that in 2030, Ramadan will be observed twice within the same Gregorian year, beginning on January 5th and again on December 26th.
Looking ahead, the year 2031 is anticipated to be unique for those in the Northern Hemisphere, as Ramadan will coincide with the winter solstice – the shortest day of the year. This will result in the shortest fasting hours for a significant portion of the world’s Muslim population. For those south of the equator, however, fasting hours will be longer than in previous years.
Ramadan Greetings and Traditions
Across Muslim-majority nations, various greetings are exchanged to express blessings and goodwill during Ramadan. “Ramadan Mubarak” and “Ramadan Kareem” are among the most common, wishing recipients a blessed and generous month, respectively. These greetings reflect the spirit of community and generosity that are central to the observance of Ramadan.
The observance of Ramadan extends beyond simply abstaining from food and drink. It’s a time for increased prayer, charity, and spending time with family and friends. Many Muslims also participate in nightly Taraweeh prayers, particularly at mosques like the Grand Mosque in Mecca, where the first Taraweeh prayers were held on Tuesday night following the moon sighting.
While Saudi Arabia and the UAE have confirmed the start of Ramadan on February 18th, other countries follow their own moon-sighting methodologies. Some rely on astronomical calculations, while others prioritize traditional local sightings to confirm the new month. This can lead to variations in the start date across different regions. For example, countries like Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkiye did not report a crescent sighting on Tuesday, and will begin fasting on February 19th. Moon sighting committees in Pakistan, Iran, India, and Bangladesh are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, February 18th to determine the start date in those regions.
As over a billion Muslims prepare to observe Ramadan, the focus remains on patience, self-discipline, and generosity. The holy month serves as a reminder of the importance of faith, community, and spiritual growth.
The coming weeks will see communities around the world preparing for the holy month, with mosques organizing special programs and families making arrangements for suhoor (the pre-dawn meal) and iftar (the fast-breaking meal). The differing start dates highlight the diverse approaches to lunar calendar observation within the global Muslim community.
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