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For Muslims, Ramadan marks the beginning of a month of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

As Ramadan begins, Muslims throughout the world will start fasting every day from sunrise to sunset, which will be a time for prayer, introspection, and almsgiving. Families gather for meals to break the fast during the holy month, which is the ninth day of the Islamic lunar calendar. Because different countries have different customs for seeing the moon, Ramadan may start on Wednesday or Thursday.In the Islamic lunar calendar (Hijri), the ninth month is known as Ramadan 2026, Ramzaan, or Ramazan. Muslims all throughout the world observe this time of fasting, prayer, and introspection, which starts with the sighting of the crescent moon. While India often starts Ramadan a day later, the crescent moon is typically first visible in Gulf countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as well as in some regions of India and Western countries.

Muslim communities from Los Angeles to Dubai, Mumbai to Muscat, experience a surge of excitement and spiritual rejuvenation when the crescent moon, which marks the start of Ramadan, is sighted worldwide. Ramadan 2026 is scheduled to start this year on Wednesday, February 18. Most communities will observe the fast until Thursday, March 19, which will be followed by the festive Eid Al-Fitr celebration on Friday, March 20. After the local moon sighting, the holy month in India is anticipated to start one day later, on February 19.

Authorities in Malaysia reported that the crescent moon signalling Ramadan was not sighted on Tuesday. As a result, Wednesday, February 18, will mark the final day of Sha��aban, and fasting will begin on Thursday, February 19. The announcement came from Malaysia��s Keeper of the Rulers�� Seal, Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, following observations from 29 locations across the country.

Not all countries will be searching for the Ramadan crescent on the same evening. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Morocco, and Mauritania will not observe the moon tonight, as Tuesday corresponds to only the 28th day of Sha��aban in these countries. With the crescent moon not sighted in multiple regions, Thursday, February 19, 2026, will officially mark the start of Ramadan in many parts of Asia, including Indonesia, Turkey, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, Japan, and Singapore.

Emirates has also taken care of its passengers' spiritual requirements by providing prayer mats as mementos on board and making sure its lounges have prayer rooms and restrooms. Travelers may enjoy traditional Ramadan fare at Dubai International Airport and at lounges in Cairo and Jeddah, including lamb kabsa, lentil soup, hot and cold mezze, mixed grills, and a variety of desserts including kunafa and basbousa. Access to the Holy Qur'an and well-known Arabic dramas are among the carefully chosen religious and spiritual programming available in Arabic and Urdu on the airline's in-flight entertainment system, Ice. Emirates has even blended tradition with contemporary luxury by launching a line of Bukhoor home fragrances with a Ramadan theme.

Jamie Larson

Senior Writer · Investigative Journalism

Jamie writes deep-dive reporting on technology, society and culture. Former editor at independent publications, Jamie focuses on clear storytelling and long-form investigations.

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