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    Ramadan 2026 date: Will fasting begin on February 18 or 19? See dates and prayer timings for Saudi Arabia, India, UK, US

    Ramadan 2026 date: As Ramadan nears, Muslims worldwide prepare for fasting and prayers. Here’s when Ramadan is expected to begin and prayer timings to follow.

    Updated on: Feb 07, 2026 1:08 PM IST
    By Akanksha Agnihotri
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    Ramadan 2026 date: As Ramadan, also known as Ramzan, Ramzaan, or Ramazan, draws closer, Muslims worldwide are preparing for a month of fasting, prayers, and spiritual reflection. The beginning of the holy month is determined by the sighting of the new crescent moon, which can differ from one region to another, often leading to variations in the start date and even the timing of Eid ul-Fitr.

    Ramadan 2026 date: Crescent moon sighting to determine Ramadan 2026 start date. (ANI )
    Ramadan 2026 date: Crescent moon sighting to determine Ramadan 2026 start date. (ANI )

    This year, many are wondering whether Ramadan will begin on Wednesday, February 18, or Thursday, February 19. Such uncertainty is common, as the Islamic lunar calendar depends on moon sighting to mark the start of each month. (Also read: Shab-e-Barat 2026: When is the 15th Night of Sha’ban, February 3 or 4? Know correct date, history and significance )

    When is Ramadan 2026? Know correct date

    This year’s “Winter Ramadan” is expected to begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026, following the sighting of the crescent moon of Ramadan 1447 AH on the evening of Wednesday, February 18, according to the Emirates Astronomical Society.

    Ibrahim Al-Jarwan, Chairman of the Society, notes that fasting hours this year will be particularly comfortable, starting at approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes and gradually increasing as the month progresses toward spring.

    Why is there confusion around the date

    Astronomical calculations from the International Astronomy Centre (IAC) and the Emirates Astronomy Society indicate that this year’s Ramadan start could spark a debate between Wednesday and Thursday. On February 17, 2026, the new moon will appear late afternoon, but it is unlikely to be visible after sunset in most regions, including the UAE, where it is expected to set just one minute before sunset.

    As a result, Wednesday, February 18, is likely to be the final day of Sha’ban, with Thursday, February 19, observed as the first day of fasting in the UAE and neighbouring countries.

    However, some communities in South Asia or North Africa may start Ramadan a day earlier based on local moon sightings, weather, and interpretation of crescent visibility. The final date will depend on confirmed sightings, continuing a centuries-old tradition.

    Muslims perform the morning prayer around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca at the start of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AFP FILE)
    Muslims perform the morning prayer around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca at the start of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AFP FILE)

    According to Islamic Finder, the daily Suhoor and Iftar timings for Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the US:

    Ramadan 2026 Timetable for Saudi Arabia

    In Saudi Arabia, astronomical data predicts that Thursday, February 19, 2026, will mark the first day of Ramadan 1447 AH. Local mosques and the Emirates Astronomical Society will confirm the dates based on crescent visibility, with Eid al-Fitr expected on March 20.

    FebruaryShabanDayFajrSunriseDhuhrAsrMaghribIsha
    181Wed05:33 AM06:49 AM12:35 PM03:53 PM06:20 PM08:20 PM
    192Thu05:32 AM06:48 AM12:35 PM03:54 PM06:21 PM08:21 PM
    203Fri05:32 AM06:48 AM12:35 PM03:54 PM06:21 PM08:21 PM
    214Sat05:32 AM06:48 AM12:35 PM03:54 PM06:21 PM08:21 PM
    225Sun05:31 AM06:47 AM12:35 PM03:54 PM06:22 PM08:22 PM
    236Mon05:30 AM06:46 AM12:35 PM03:54 PM06:23 PM08:23 PM
    247Tue05:29 AM06:45 AM12:34 PM03:54 PM06:23 PM08:23 PM
    258Wed05:28 AM06:44 AM12:34 PM03:55 PM06:24 PM08:24 PM
    269Thu05:28 AM06:43 AM12:34 PM03:55 PM06:24 PM08:24 PM
    2710Fri05:27 AM06:43 AM12:34 PM03:55 PM06:25 PM08:25 PM
    2811Sat05:26 AM06:42 AM12:34 PM03:55 PM06:25 PM08:25 PM
    MarchRamadanDayFajrSunriseDhuhrAsrMaghribIsha
    0112Sun05:25 AM06:41 AM12:34 PM03:55 PM06:25 PM08:25 PM
    0213Mon05:25 AM06:40 AM12:33 PM03:55 PM06:26 PM08:26 PM
    0314Tue05:24 AM06:39 AM12:33 PM03:55 PM06:26 PM08:26 PM
    0415Wed05:23 AM06:39 AM12:33 PM03:55 PM06:27 PM08:27 PM
    0516Thu05:22 AM06:38 AM12:33 PM03:55 PM06:27 PM08:27 PM
    0617Fri05:21 AM06:37 AM12:32 PM03:55 PM06:27 PM08:27 PM
    0718Sat05:21 AM06:36 AM12:32 PM03:55 PM06:28 PM08:28 PM
    0819Sun05:20 AM06:35 AM12:32 PM03:55 PM06:28 PM08:28 PM
    0920Mon05:19 AM06:34 AM12:32 PM03:55 PM06:28 PM08:28 PM
    1021Tue05:18 AM06:33 AM12:31 PM03:55 PM06:29 PM08:29 PM
    1122Wed05:17 AM06:33 AM12:31 PM03:55 PM06:29 PM08:29 PM
    1223Thu05:16 AM06:32 AM12:31 PM03:55 PM06:30 PM08:30 PM
    1324Fri05:15 AM06:31 AM12:31 PM03:55 PM06:30 PM08:30 PM
    1425Sat05:14 AM06:30 AM12:30 PM03:54 PM06:30 PM08:30 PM
    1526Sun05:13 AM06:29 AM12:30 PM03:54 PM06:31 PM08:31 PM
    1627Mon05:13 AM06:28 AM12:30 PM03:54 PM06:31 PM08:31 PM
    1728Tue05:12 AM06:27 AM12:30 PM03:54 PM06:31 PM08:31 PM
    1829Wed05:11 AM06:26 AM12:29 PM03:54 PM06:32 PM08:32 PM
    1930Thu05:10 AM06:25 AM12:29 PM03:54 PM06:32 PM08:32 PM
    MarchShawwalDay
    201Fri05:09 AM06:24 AM12:29 PM03:53 PM06:32 PM08:02 PM

    Ramadan 2026 Timetable for London

    In the United Kingdom, Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on Thursday, February 19, depending on local crescent moon sightings. Fasting will continue for the full month, likely ending on March 19, with Eid al-Fitr celebrated on March 20. Muslims across the UK rely on both astronomical calculations and local mosque announcements to confirm the exact dates.

    FebruaryShabanDayFajrSunriseDhuhrAsrMaghribIsha
    1829Wed05:30 AM07:07 AM12:20 PM02:49 PM05:23 PM06:52 PM
    191Thu05:28 AM07:05 AM12:20 PM02:51 PM05:25 PM06:54 PM
    202Fri05:26 AM07:03 AM12:19 PM02:52 PM05:27 PM06:56 PM
    213Sat05:24 AM07:01 AM12:19 PM02:53 PM05:29 PM06:57 PM
    224Sun05:22 AM06:59 AM12:19 PM02:55 PM05:30 PM06:58 PM
    235Mon05:20 AM06:57 AM12:19 PM02:56 PM05:32 PM07:00 PM
    246Tue05:18 AM06:55 AM12:19 PM02:57 PM05:34 PM07:02 PM
    257Wed05:16 AM06:53 AM12:19 PM02:59 PM05:36 PM07:03 PM
    268Thu05:13 AM06:50 AM12:19 PM03:00 PM05:38 PM07:05 PM
    279Fri05:11 AM06:48 AM12:18 PM03:01 PM05:39 PM07:06 PM
    2810Sat05:09 AM06:46 AM12:18 PM03:03 PM05:41 PM07:08 PM
    March 0111Sun05:05 AM06:42 AM12:18 PM03:05 PM05:45 PM07:11 PM
    0212Mon05:03 AM06:40 AM12:18 PM03:06 PM05:46 PM07:12 PM
    0313Tue05:01 AM06:38 AM12:17 PM03:08 PM05:48 PM07:13 PM
    0414Wed04:58 AM06:35 AM12:17 PM03:09 PM05:50 PM07:15 PM
    0515Thu04:56 AM06:33 AM12:17 PM03:10 PM05:52 PM07:16 PM
    0616Fri04:54 AM06:31 AM12:17 PM03:11 PM05:53 PM07:17 PM
    0717Sat04:52 AM06:29 AM12:17 PM03:12 PM05:55 PM07:18 PM
    0818Sun04:50 AM06:27 AM12:16 PM03:14 PM05:57 PM07:20 PM
    0919Mon04:47 AM06:24 AM12:16 PM03:15 PM05:59 PM07:21 PM
    1020Tue04:45 AM06:22 AM12:16 PM03:16 PM06:00 PM07:22 PM
    1121Wed04:43 AM06:20 AM12:16 PM03:17 PM06:02 PM07:24 PM
    1222Thu04:41 AM06:18 AM12:15 PM03:18 PM06:04 PM07:26 PM
    1323Fri04:38 AM06:15 AM12:15 PM03:19 PM06:06 PM07:27 PM
    1424Sat04:36 AM06:13 AM12:15 PM03:20 PM06:07 PM07:28 PM
    1525Sun04:34 AM06:11 AM12:14 PM03:21 PM06:09 PM07:30 PM
    1626Mon04:32 AM06:09 AM12:14 PM03:22 PM06:11 PM07:32 PM
    1727Tue04:29 AM06:06 AM12:14 PM03:24 PM06:12 PM07:32 PM
    1828Wed04:27 AM06:04 AM12:14 PM03:25 PM06:14 PM07:34 PM
    1929Thu04:25 AM06:02 AM12:13 PM03:26 PM06:16 PM07:36 PM
    2030Fri04:23 AM05:59 AM12:13 PM03:27 PM06:18 PM07:38 PM

    Ramadan 2026 Timetable for New York

    In the United States, most communities are also expected to start Ramadan on Thursday, February 19, though some regions may begin a day earlier if the crescent moon is sighted. Eid al-Fitr is expected around March 20–21, depending on moon sighting confirmations.

    FebruaryShabanDayFajrSunriseDhuhrAsrMaghribIsha
    181Wed05:29 AM06:45 AM12:10 PM03:08 PM05:35 PM06:51 PM
    192Thu05:28 AM06:44 AM12:10 PM03:09 PM05:36 PM06:52 PM
    203Fri05:27 AM06:42 AM12:10 PM03:10 PM05:37 PM06:53 PM
    214Sat05:25 AM06:41 AM12:10 PM03:11 PM05:38 PM06:54 PM
    225Sun05:24 AM06:40 AM12:10 PM03:12 PM05:39 PM06:55 PM
    236Mon05:23 AM06:38 AM12:10 PM03:13 PM05:41 PM06:56 PM
    247Tue05:21 AM06:37 AM12:09 PM03:13 PM05:42 PM06:57 PM
    258Wed05:20 AM06:35 AM12:09 PM03:14 PM05:43 PM06:59 PM
    269Thu05:18 AM06:34 AM12:09 PM03:15 PM05:44 PM07:00 PM
    2710Fri05:17 AM06:32 AM12:09 PM03:16 PM05:45 PM07:01 PM
    2811Sat05:16 AM06:31 AM12:09 PM03:17 PM05:46 PM07:02 PM
    March 0112Sun05:14 AM06:29 AM12:09 PM03:17 PM05:47 PM07:03 PM
    0213Mon05:12 AM06:28 AM12:08 PM03:18 PM05:49 PM07:04 PM
    0314Tue05:11 AM06:26 AM12:08 PM03:19 PM05:50 PM07:05 PM
    0415Wed05:09 AM06:25 AM12:08 PM03:20 PM05:51 PM07:06 PM
    0516Thu05:08 AM06:23 AM12:08 PM03:20 PM05:52 PM07:07 PM
    0617Fri05:06 AM06:21 AM12:07 PM03:21 PM05:53 PM07:09 PM
    0718Sat05:05 AM06:20 AM12:07 PM03:22 PM05:54 PM07:10 PM
    0819Sun06:05 AM07:20 AM01:07 PM04:22 PM06:54 PM08:10 PM
    0920Mon06:03 AM07:18 AM01:07 PM04:22 PM06:55 PM08:11 PM
    1021Tue06:01 AM07:17 AM01:07 PM04:23 PM06:56 PM08:12 PM
    1122Wed06:00 AM07:15 AM01:06 PM04:24 PM06:58 PM08:13 PM
    1223Thu05:58 AM07:13 AM01:06 PM04:24 PM06:59 PM08:14 PM
    1324Fri05:57 AM07:12 AM01:06 PM04:25 PM07:00 PM08:15 PM
    1425Sat05:55 AM07:10 AM01:06 PM04:25 PM07:01 PM08:16 PM
    1526Sun05:53 AM07:08 AM01:05 PM04:26 PM07:02 PM08:18 PM
    1627Mon05:51 AM07:07 AM01:05 PM04:27 PM07:03 PM08:19 PM
    1728Tue05:50 AM07:05 AM01:05 PM04:27 PM07:04 PM08:20 PM
    1829Wed05:48 AM07:03 AM01:05 PM04:28 PM07:05 PM08:21 PM
    1930Thu05:46 AM07:02 AM01:04 PM04:28 PM07:06 PM08:22 PM
    • Akanksha Agnihotri
      ABOUT THE AUTHOR
      Akanksha Agnihotri

      Akanksha Agnihotri is a lifestyle journalist at Hindustan Times. She has a passion for fashion and beauty and is an ardent enthusiast of art and culture. With a keen eye for trends and a flair for storytelling, she brings a unique perspective to her writing.Read More

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    News/Lifestyle/Festivals/Ramadan 2026 Date: Will Fasting Begin On February 18 Or 19? See Dates And Prayer Timings For Saudi Arabia, India, UK, US
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