What To Know
- With Ramadan occurring earlier in the year, fasting hours in Dubai are expected to range between 12 and 13 hours at the start of the month.
- From work schedules to family gatherings, the expected February start places the holy month in a cooler part of the year.
- With the holy month expected to begin in February, residents can prepare for a routine that fits naturally into daily life during a cooler season.
Ramadan 2026 is already shaping daily plans well ahead of time in Dubai. From work schedules to family gatherings, the expected February start places the holy month in a cooler part of the year. That timing affects fasting hours, prayer schedules, and evening routines in ways residents will notice immediately. While the official start depends on moon sighting, current projections offer a clear picture of what Ramadan will look like on the ground.
Expected Start Date for Ramadan 2026
Astronomical calculations indicate that Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on Thursday, February 19, subject to official moon sighting confirmation in the UAE. Depending on the sighting outcome, the holy month will last either 29 or 30 days. Eid Al Fitr is anticipated around March 20 or March 21.
This calendar placement situates Ramadan during a late-winter to early-spring period. Daylight hours during this time are shorter than in recent cycles, which directly affects fasting duration and evening schedules across the country.
Fasting Hours in Dubai
With Ramadan occurring earlier in the year, fasting hours in Dubai are expected to range between 12 and 13 hours at the start of the month. This shorter daylight window influences the full daily routine, from Suhoor to Iftar.
Suhoor is projected to end between 5:00 AM and 5:20 AM, depending on the date, while Iftar begins earlier in the evening compared to recent years. As the month progresses, these timings shift gradually, following the natural change in daylight length.
For many residents, this schedule supports a smoother balance between fasting, work commitments, prayers, and rest throughout the month.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi Iftar Timings
Iftar times vary slightly across the UAE due to geographic location.
In Dubai, Iftar is expected to begin at around 6:15 PM during the early days of Ramadan, moving toward 6:30 PM closer to the end of the month.
In Abu Dhabi, Iftar starts a few minutes later. Early Ramadan projections place Iftar near 6:19 PM, with timings extending to around 6:33 PM by the final days.
All timings are based on astronomical estimates and will be finalized through official prayer calendars issued closer to Ramadan.
How Ramadan 2026 Fits Into the Global Picture
Fasting hours during Ramadan differ widely around the world. While the UAE experiences moderate daylight lengths during Ramadan 2026, Muslims in higher-latitude regions such as parts of Europe face longer fasting periods. In extreme northern areas, religious guidance often allows following Makkah time or the nearest moderate schedule when daylight hours extend significantly.
Within the Middle East, the timing of Ramadan 2026 places fasting hours within a range that many scholars describe as manageable for worshippers.
Ramadan 2026 in Dubai brings a calendar-friendly schedule defined by shorter fasting hours and earlier Iftar times. With the holy month expected to begin in February, residents can prepare for a routine that fits naturally into daily life during a cooler season. As official moon sighting confirmation approaches, the outlook for Ramadan this year remains clear, structured, and easy to plan around.
