Khaberni - More than one and a half billion Muslims around the world are preparing to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan in 2026, which this year brings the good news of "moderate fasting" for most Arab and Islamic countries, as the holy month coincides with the end of winter and the beginning of spring, thereby reducing fasting hours compared to previous years.
Ramadan 2026 is a "physically comfortable" season for most fasters, as the relative coolness of the weather meets shorter daylight hours in areas with high Muslim population density, reducing the intensity of thirst and fatigue compared to years when the month fell at the peak of summer, despite continuing significant geographical differences between northern and southern countries.
Preliminary astronomical calculations indicate that the beginning of Ramadan will correspond to Thursday, February 19, 2026, with the holy month ending on Friday, March 20, which will be the first day of Eid al-Fitr, pending official confirmation through the sighting of the new moon at that time.
The duration of fasting varies from country to country depending on geographical location and latitude, as the timings for dawn and breaking the fast are linked to the sun's movement. Countries near the equator maintain nearly constant daytime hours, while periods lengthen as we move northwards.
Fasting Map in the Arab Region
Countries in the Middle East and North Africa, being close to the equator and having winter daylight times, will record the shortest fasting hours in years:
- Emirates and Gulf countries: Fasting will start at about 12 hours and 46 minutes, which is about half an hour less than last year.
- Egypt and the Levant: Cairo, Tetouan, and Beirut will start with an average of 12 hours and 40 minutes, gradually increasing with the approach of spring to reach 13 hours by the end of the month.
Struggle with Long Hours in the Arctic
Despite the general moderation, the elevated northern regions face the challenge of long daylight hours due to the latitudes:
- Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland): Fasting hours there exceed the 16-hour mark daily.
- Far North (Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and parts of Canada): In some areas, the duration may reach 20 hours of fasting, leading residents to resort to jurisprudential concessions that allow fasting according to the timing of Mecca or the nearest moderate city.
Southern Hemisphere
In contrast, Muslims in the Southern Hemisphere enjoy the shortest fasting periods, where the autumn season prevails:
- The duration in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and South Africa ranges between 11 and 13 hours only.
- The duration in equatorial regions such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Kenya remains stable at around 12 to 14 hours thanks to the consistent length of day and night throughout the year.
