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when will ramadan start in 2026

Ramadan in 2026 is expected to start around the evening of Tuesday 17 February 2026 (with the first day of fasting on 18 February), but it may vary by a day depending on local moon sighting.

When will Ramadan start in 2026?

Quick Scoop

For the search phrase “when will Ramadan start in 2026” , most Islamic calendars and charity organizations that publish advance timetables agree on a mid‑February start.

  • Many sources list the start of Ramadan 2026 as:
    • Evening of Tuesday, 17 February 2026 , with fasting from Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
  • Some organizations phrase it simply as:
    • “Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on the evening of Tuesday, February 17 and end around 19 March 2026.”
  • A few note a small range:
    • “Expected to begin on Tuesday 17th or Wednesday 18th February 2026 ,” to reflect differences between global and local moonsighting practices.

In practical terms, if you are planning ahead (work leave, school schedules, iftar events), you can tentatively circle 17–18 February 2026 as the beginning of Ramadan, and 19–20 March 2026 as the likely end and Eid al‑Fitr.

The exact start will be confirmed by your local mosque or Islamic authority the night before, based on whether the new crescent moon of Ramadan 1447 AH is sighted in your region.

Why dates differ slightly

Different sites and organizations use slightly different methods:

  1. Astronomical calculation
    • Sites that rely on calculations (like some global prayer‑time and calendar platforms) publish a fixed date long in advance, often giving Wednesday 18 February 2026 as “first day of Ramadan.”
  1. Local moonsighting
    • Many scholars and mosques wait for an actual crescent sighting in their region, which can shift the start earlier or later by one day.
  1. Regional practice
    • Large Muslim‑minority countries (e.g., UK‑focused or US‑focused charities) often publish a standard date such as “evening of Tuesday 17 February 2026” to help people plan timetables and donation campaigns.

Think of these dates as expected rather than absolutely fixed. The spiritual start everyone is waiting for is that local announcement: the call from your mosque, the official calendar from your country’s religious authority, or a trusted moonsighting council.

What this means for you in 2026

If you’re asking “when will Ramadan start in 2026” to plan your schedule, travel, or fasting routine:

  • Mark your calendar :
    • Likely first taraweeh: night of 17 or 18 February 2026 (depending on your local community).
* Likely first fast: **18 or 19 February 2026**.
  • Expect local variation :
    • Some countries may start a day earlier or later than others, just as in previous years, due to different moonsighting criteria.
  • Plan, then confirm :
    • Use the mid‑February 2026 expected start for planning work leave, school, travel, and charity.
* A few days before, check:
  * Your local mosque or Islamic center
  * Your national or regional Islamic authority
  * Trusted Islamic apps or websites that follow your local moonsighting method

Mini FAQ (forum‑style)

Q: Is Ramadan 2026 definitely on 17 February?
Not “definitely,” but many calendars and major charities currently list 17 February (evening) as the start, with fasting from 18 February.

Q: Why do some sites say 18 February instead?
They are usually describing the first full day of fasting , or using a different moonsighting/astronomical convention that shifts the visible crescent to the next date.

Q: When will Eid al‑Fitr 2026 likely be?
Many projections say Friday 20 March 2026 , following roughly 29–30 days of fasting.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.