As the world prepares to welcome Ramadan in 2026, anticipation and excitement fill Muslim communities across continents. The holy month, which marks a period of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection, is expected to begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026, in most countries, though the exact start date will, as always, depend on the sighting of the crescent moon in each locality. According to Gulf News and the Emirates Astronomical Society, this year’s Ramadan is forecasted to be a “Winter Ramadan,” with fasting hours starting at about 12 hours and 45 minutes—relatively comfortable compared to the long summer fasts of previous years.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, holds immense significance for Muslims worldwide. It commemorates the period when, according to Islamic tradition, the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during the “Night of Power,” or “Laylat al-Qadr.” This sacred night is believed to fall on one of the last ten nights of Ramadan, often observed on the 27th night, and is a time of heightened devotion and prayer.
But when exactly will Ramadan start in 2026? That’s the perennial question, and the answer is never as straightforward as a fixed date on the Gregorian calendar. As reported by GoodReturns, the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, meaning the beginning of Ramadan shifts each year and is officially declared only after a physical sighting of the crescent moon by religious committees. In India, for example, moon sighting announcements are typically coordinated by committees in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Lucknow, often in consultation with developments in Saudi Arabia.
This year, early astronomical predictions and most forecasts point to February 19, 2026, as the first day of fasting in India, the United Kingdom, and several Asian countries. However, there’s still a degree of uncertainty, as the final call rests on local moon sightings. In Saudi Arabia, the Emirates Astronomical Society expects Ramadan to begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026, following the crescent moon sighting on the evening of Wednesday, February 18. Yet, if the moon is sighted earlier, Saudi Arabia could start as soon as February 18, potentially influencing announcements across the Muslim world.
The start of Ramadan sets in motion a month-long observance that is both communal and deeply personal. Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib), focusing on prayers, reading the Quran, and acts of charity. The fast is broken each day with Iftar, a meal shared with family, friends, and often the wider community.
In India, the expected Sehri (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (sunset meal) times for the first day, February 19, 2026, are around 5:36 AM and 6:15 PM respectively in major North Indian cities, according to GoodReturns. These timings will adjust slightly each day as the month progresses, with southern cities experiencing earlier sunrise and sunset, leading to variations in Sehri and Iftar times across the country. For example, as the days lengthen toward spring, fasting hours will gradually increase, though they will remain less taxing than in years when Ramadan falls in the peak of summer.
Globally, the pattern is much the same, though local conditions and traditions add unique flavors to the observance. In Saudi Arabia, the first day of Ramadan 1447 AH is predicted to be February 19, 2026, with Eid al-Fitr—the festival marking the end of Ramadan—expected on March 20. In the United Kingdom, Muslims are also likely to begin fasting on February 19, with Eid anticipated on March 20. Communities in the United States are expected to follow suit, although some may start a day earlier if the crescent moon is sighted sooner. Eid al-Fitr in the US is projected to fall around March 20 or 21.
Other countries, including Oman, Turkey, Singapore, and Australia, are also likely to begin Ramadan fasting on February 19, 2026, based on astronomical visibility predictions. In Pakistan, the new moon is expected on February 17, with a possible moon sighting on February 18, subject to confirmation by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. As is tradition, these announcements are awaited with great anticipation, as communities across the globe look to synchronize their observances as closely as possible.
Ramadan typically lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on the next crescent moon sighting. Current projections in Gulf countries, including Dubai, suggest a 29-day Ramadan in 2026, meaning Eid al-Fitr would be celebrated on Friday, March 20, in India and many parts of the world. This festival, which literally means “the festival of breaking the fast,” is a joyous occasion marked by communal prayers, feasting, and charity to the less fortunate.
Throughout the month, the daily rhythm of life shifts. In India, for instance, detailed timetables are published to guide the faithful on precise timings for Sehri and Iftar. According to Gulf News, the fasting hours, beginning at approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes, will gradually lengthen as the month progresses toward spring. Ibrahim Al-Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society, notes that this year’s fasting hours will be “particularly comfortable,” a welcome relief for many compared to the nearly 15-hour fasts seen in some years.
Of course, the spiritual significance of Ramadan extends far beyond the daily fast. It is a time for introspection, communal prayer, and reading the Quran. According to Islamic belief, those who observe Ramadan with sincerity, fasting, and prayer are forgiven by God for their past sins. The month is also a period of heightened generosity, with many Muslims increasing their charitable giving—known as zakat—as a core part of their observance.
As the world’s Muslim population prepares for this sacred month, the sense of unity and shared purpose is palpable. Whether in bustling cities like Delhi and London or smaller communities in the US and Australia, the rituals of Ramadan bind people together across cultures and continents. Each year brings subtle changes—different start dates, shifting fasting hours, and new challenges—but the core values of faith, discipline, and compassion remain constant.
With the crescent moon’s appearance just days away, the anticipation builds. Families finalize their preparations, mosques coordinate prayer schedules, and communities ready themselves for a month of devotion and togetherness. Ramadan 2026, with its “Winter Ramadan” timing and comfortable fasting hours, promises to be a period of spiritual renewal and communal joy for millions around the globe.