Ramadan 2026 Expected to Begin February 17, Eid on March 18

The arrival of Ramadan 2026 marks a deeply significant period for millions of Muslims globally, serving as a month dedicated to spiritual growth, heightened devotion, and the strengthening of community ties. As a complete news analysis, it's crucial to understand the intricate details and traditions that govern the observance of this holy month.

The Lunar Calendar's Influence and its Global Impact-The Islamic calendar's reliance on lunar cycles is a central factor in the shifting nature of Ramadan's dates. Unlike the solar-based Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar's months begin with the sighting of the new crescent moon. This fundamental difference causes Ramadan to move back by approximately 10 to 11 days each year, ensuring that over a 33-year cycle, Muslims experience the holy month in every season. This cyclical change presents unique challenges and blessings, such as variations in fasting hours—which can be notably longer during summer months in northern latitudes or shorter in the winter, as Daily Dazzling Dawn has noted.

The Nuance of Moon-Sighting vs. Astronomical Calculation-While astronomical calculations provide a strong prediction for the start date, the official commencement of Ramadan is tied to the physical sighting of the new crescent moon. This traditional practice, rooted in religious guidance, is a key element that can lead to slight variations in the start date across different regions and even within communities in the same country. Local religious authorities and moon-sighting committees are tasked with this responsibility, making their own announcements based on their observations of the 29th of the preceding month, Sha'ban.

For instance, while a projected date for Ramadan 2026 is Tuesday, 17 February, the actual start may differ. This is evident in the distinction between countries. In the UK and USA, communities often follow a unified calendar based on these astronomical projections or rely on sightings from major Islamic centers. As a result, the first day of fasting for these regions is widely expected to be Wednesday, 18 February 2026. However, in Bangladesh, where local moon-sighting practices hold significant weight, the start of Ramadan could be a day later, with the first fast potentially beginning on Thursday, 19 February 2026. This highlights how a single global event is experienced with local variations, underscoring the importance of regional religious autonomy.

Expected dates for Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 2026-Based on these projections, the holy month is expected to begin on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, for many Muslim communities globally. The conclusion of the month-long fast is marked by the joyous celebration of Eid al-Fitr. Like the start of Ramadan, the date for Eid is also contingent on the sighting of the new moon.

Tentative Eid al-Fitr dates for 2026 are as follows:

UK and USA: Eid is tentatively projected to fall on Wednesday, 18 March 2026.

Bangladesh: Eid is tentatively projected to be on Friday, 20 March 2026.

These dates remain subject to confirmation by respective religious councils and moon-sighting committees. As the time draws near, Muslims are encouraged to stay informed of official announcements from their local mosques and Islamic organizations to confirm the exact dates of these significant religious events.