The fasting month of Ramadan 2026 starts on the evening of February 18 and ends on March 19. Devout Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other needs during daylight hours to practice self-control and empathy. The Sugar Festival marks the end on March 20.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and serves as the fasting month for about 1.9 billion followers of Islam. It begins in 2026 on the evening of February 18, with the first fasting day on February 19. The month ends on the evening of March 19, followed by the Sugar Festival (Eid al-Fitr), which starts on March 20 and traditionally lasts three days (March 20 to 22). Due to the moon-based calendar, dates may vary regionally based on sightings.
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam: creed (Shahada), daily prayer (Salat), pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj), alms tax (Zakat), and fasting (Sawm). It is based on Quran verse 2:183: "O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous." The aim is to develop empathy, self-discipline, and a deeper relationship with God. Exemptions apply to the sick, elderly, pregnant, travelers, and children; missed days can be made up.
From dawn (Fajr) to sunset, fasters abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations. Breaking the fast (Iftar) starts with a date and water, followed by prayer and a meal with family or in the mosque. Key behavior includes avoiding arguments and insults for inner purification. A highlight is Laylat al-Qadr, the night of the first Quran revelation to Prophet Mohammed.
Ramadan encourages reflection on renunciation and good deeds, fostering community in families and mosques. The Sugar Festival, also called Ramazan Bayramı in Turkey or Hari Raya Aidilfitri in the Malay region, features sweets, gifts for children, and visits with greetings like "Eid Mubarak".
