EXPLAINERNews|ReligionRamadan 2026: Fasting hours, suhoor and iftar times around the worldThe dawn-to-dusk fast lasts anywhere from 11.5 to 15.5 hours, depending on where in the world you are.
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is anticipated to commence on Mon, Feb 18, 2026, or Tue, Feb 19, 2026, contingent on the sighting of the crescent moon. The duration of Ramadan spans 29 or 30 days, during which Muslims observing the fast abstain from…
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is anticipated to commence on Mon, Feb 18, 2026, or Tue, Feb 19, 2026, contingent on the sighting of the crescent moon. The duration of Ramadan spans 29 or 30 days, during which Muslims observing the fast abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, typically for 12 to 15 hours, depending on geographic location.
Ramadan is considered the month when the initial verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over 1,400 years ago. Fasting involves refraining from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations during daylight hours to achieve enhanced "taqwa," or consciousness of God.
The commencement of Ramadan varies annually by 10 to 12 days due to the Islamic calendar's reliance on the lunar Hijri calendar, with months lasting 29 or 30 days. For approximately 90 percent of the global population residing in the Northern Hemisphere, the fasting hours are slightly shorter this year and will continue to decrease until 2031, coinciding with the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Conversely, for those south of the equator, fasting hours will be longer than the previous year.
In 2030, Ramadan will occur twice, beginning first on Sun, Jan 5, 2030, and then on Thu, Dec 26, 2030, due to the lunar year being 11 days shorter than the solar year.
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is anticipated to commence on Mon, Feb 18, 2026, or Tue, Feb 19, 2026, contingent on the sighting of the crescent moon.
The number of daylight hours for fasting varies globally. In the Northern Hemisphere, where it is winter, fasts will last approximately 12 to 13 hours on the first day, increasing throughout the month. Conversely, in southern nations such as Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa, fasts will last approximately 14 to 15 hours initially, with fasting hours decreasing as the month progresses.
The data below displays fasting hours, suhoor, and iftar times for the first and last days of Ramadan 2026. For specific cities, refer to the interactive table provided.
Different Muslim-majority countries have distinct greetings in their native languages for Ramadan. Common greetings include “Ramadan Mubarak” and “Ramadan Kareem,” which wish the recipient a blessed or generous month, respectively.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.