Khaberni - Millions of Muslims around the world are preparing to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan in 2026, expected to begin on Thursday, February 19, with the first day of Eid al-Fitr being on Friday, March 20, pending the sighting of the new moon of the holy month.
Astronomical calculations indicate that fasting hours in most Arab countries will range between 12 and 13 hours daily, making Ramadan 2026 one of the more moderate fasting seasons in recent years.
This is partly due to the timing of the month at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, when daylight hours are shorter compared to summer. However, as days progress, fasting hours will gradually increase, making the final days slightly longer.
Why do fasting hours vary between countries?
The duration of fasting varies from one country to another depending on geographic location, as countries near the equator enjoy nearly constant daylight hours throughout the year, while countries located further north or south experience greater seasonal changes.
In Egypt, fasting hours in Cairo are expected to start at about 12 hours and 40 minutes, gradually increasing to about 13 hours by the end of the month.
Similar patterns prevail in the Arab Gulf countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, with slight differences between cities.
In the Levant and Iraq, fasting hours will follow the same pattern, while North African countries such as Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia may see slight variations due to longitude and sunset timing, but they remain within the same range.
The longest fasting hours outside the Arab world
Fasting hours increase further north, for example, in New York, they start at about 12 and a half hours, gradually increasing to more than 13 hours as the days of Ramadan progress.
In Europe, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Scandinavian countries, longer fasting is prevalent due to higher latitudes, although this will not be as severe in 2026 compared to previous years.
In previous years, some areas of northern Russia, Greenland, and Iceland faced either exceptionally long fasts exceeding 16 hours, or very short days, prompting Muslims there to follow the timing of the nearest moderate city or the Mecca time.
Ramadan 2026 promises a balanced and moderate fasting experience for the majority of Muslims around the world, with suitable fasting hours and cooler weather compared to summer seasons, making it one of the more physically comfortable Ramadan months in recent years.
