Ramadan 2026 is expected to offer comparatively moderate fasting hours for Muslims across much of the Arab world, according to astronomical calculations. The holy month is forecast to begin on Thursday, 19 February 2026, with Eid Al Fitr likely to fall on Friday, 20 March, subject to moon sighting.
Across most Arab countries, daily fasting hours are expected to range between 12 and 13 hours, making Ramadan 2026 one of the easier fasting periods in recent years. This is due to the timing of Ramadan at the end of winter and the start of spring in the northern hemisphere, when daylight hours are shorter and temperatures remain mild.
Fasting durations will gradually increase as the month progresses, with days becoming slightly longer toward the end of Ramadan. In Egypt, fasting hours in Cairo are expected to start at around 12 hours and 40 minutes, rising to just under 13 hours by the final days. Similar patterns are expected across the Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.
The shortest fasting hours will be observed in countries closer to the equator, where daylight variation is minimal. In contrast, Muslims living in higher latitudes, including parts of Europe and North America, will experience longer fasting days. Despite these differences, Ramadan 2026 is expected to remain relatively balanced for most regions compared to previous years.
