Millions of Muslims around the world are preparing to welcome the holy month of Ramadan in 2026. It is expected to begin on Thursday, February 19, with the first day of Eid al-Fitr on Friday, March 20, subject to the sighting of the new moon. Astronomical calculations indicate that fasting hours in most Arab countries will range between 12 and 13 hours daily, making Ramadan 2026 one of the most moderate fasting seasons in recent years. This is partly due to the timing of the month at the end of winter and beginning of spring, when daylight hours are shorter compared to summer. However, as the days progress, fasting hours will gradually increase, with the last days being slightly longer, according to Gulf News. Why do fasting hours vary between countries? Fasting duration varies from one country to another depending on geographical location. Countries near the equator have nearly constant daylight hours year-round, while countries farther 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 rising to around 13 hours by the end of the month. In the Levant and Iraq, fasting hours will follow the same trend. Meanwhile, North African countries like Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia may see slight variations due to longitude and sunset times, but they remain within the same range. Longest fasting hours outside the Arab world Fasting hours increase the farther north you go. In New York, fasting starts at about 12 and a half hours, gradually increasing to over 13 hours as Ramadan progresses. In Europe, including the UK, Germany, and Scandinavian countries, longer fasting prevails due to higher latitudes, although it will not be as harsh in 2026 compared to previous years. Some regions in northern Russia, Greenland, and Iceland have previously experienced exceptional fasting exceeding 16 hours or very short days, prompting Muslims there to follow the timing of the nearest moderate city or the timing of Mecca.
