Ramadan 2026: When It Starts and Ends Worldwide—and Why Dates Differ

Ramadan in 2026 (1447 AH) is being observed across the world, but not everyone began fasting on the same day. Depending on location—and on whether communities follow local moon sighting, global sighting, or astronomical calculations—Ramadan started on either Wednesday, 18 February 2026 or Thursday, 19 February 2026. The end date can also vary by a day, because Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days, and Eid al-Fitr is tied to the confirmation of the next lunar crescent.

As Al Jazeera’s explainer notes, most Gulf countries began on 18 February, while many other places—particularly across Europe and much of Asia—began on 19 February. This one-day spread is a familiar feature of a lunar calendar observed by a global faith community.

Ramadan 2026 dates at a glance (regional examples)

• Middle East / Gulf (Saudi-led announcements): Wednesday, 18 February 2026 was confirmed as the first day of fasting in Saudi Arabia and several Gulf states, according to Al Jazeera and regional reporting such as The Times of India’s coverage of the UAE’s first fasting day.
• Europe (calculation-based councils and national bodies): The European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR) declared Thursday, 19 February 2026 as the first day of Ramadan, as reported in Al Jazeera’s roundup. In Belgium, the Executive of Muslims of Belgium (EMB) likewise announced 19 February as the start.
• United States / North America (astronomical criteria used by major councils): The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) stated that the first day of Ramadan would be Wednesday, 18 February 2026, based on astronomical visibility criteria. (Some local communities may still wait for local sighting confirmations, which can shift observance by a day.)
• Australia (national imams council announcement): The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) announced that the first day of fasting would be Thursday, 19 February 2026 (with the first night of taraweeh on 18 February). ANIC also published its formal notice in a PDF statement: Commencement of the Holy Month of Ramadan 1447H.
• East & South Asia (including communities in China): Many countries across Asia were expected to begin fasting on Thursday, 19 February 2026, because the crescent was not expected to be visible in much of Asia on 17 February, as outlined in Al Jazeera’s regional breakdown. Crescent-visibility analysis compiled by Moonsighting.com also reflects why parts of Asia tend to align with the later start in such years. In China—where Muslim communities are regionally concentrated and public religious life varies—observance commonly follows local community practice, which can align with broader Asian patterns or differ by a day.

Why Ramadan doesn’t begin on the same day everywhere

Ramadan begins with the Islamic month determined by the appearance of the new crescent moon (the hilal). Some communities prioritize local moon sighting; others follow a recognized foreign authority’s confirmation; and many major councils use astronomical calculations to set dates consistently for large, geographically dispersed communities. The result is often a one-day difference between countries—or even between mosques in the same city—without implying disagreement about the meaning of the month itself.

So when does Ramadan 2026 finish?

Because Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days, its ending can also vary by a day. The month concludes when Shawwal begins, marked by Eid al-Fitr. Many public calendars and community notices place Eid in 2026 around 19–21 March, depending on moon confirmation and whether Ramadan completes 29 or 30 days.

• Calculation-based example (North America): The Fiqh Council of North America stated that Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal) would fall on Friday, 20 March 2026 under its criteria.
• Moon-sighting contexts: Communities that rely on local or national moon sighting may celebrate Eid on Thursday 19 March, Friday 20 March, or Saturday 21 March, depending on when the Shawwal crescent is confirmed and whether Ramadan is 29 or 30 days.

Why February matters: a winter Ramadan for much of the Northern Hemisphere

With Ramadan falling in mid-to-late February in 2026, the month lands in late winter across Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. In northern latitudes, that often means shorter fasting days than in summer—though cold weather, school and work demands, and early sunsets shape daily routines in other ways. Ramadan remains, for Muslims, a time of fasting from dawn to sunset alongside prayer, generosity, and community life.

What to tell readers internationally

For a global audience, the most accurate framing is a window rather than a single universal date: Ramadan 2026 began on 18 February in many places (including Saudi Arabia and councils in North America), and on 19 February in many others (including parts of Europe and Australia). Eid al-Fitr is expected around 19–21 March 2026, depending on moon confirmation and whether the month lasts 29 or 30 days. The one-day differences reflect well-established religious methods for beginning lunar months, as explained in this overview of moon sighting practices.