When the crescent moon is sighted on February 18 or 19, Muslims across the globe will enter Ramadan 2026 – a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, prayer and reflection.
But while the spiritual purpose is shared, the daily experience of fasting can feel very different depending on geography. This year, fasting hours will range from roughly 11.5 hours in some northern cities to more than 15.5 hours in parts of the Southern Hemisphere.
And in Bangladesh, Ramadan arrives with its own familiar rhythms – and pressures.
Why the date changes every year
Ramadan follows the Islamic Hijri calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle. Because the lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, Ramadan shifts earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar.
That movement means Ramadan cycles through all seasons over time. For much of the Northern Hemisphere, fasting hours are gradually becoming shorter and will continue to do so until 2031, when Ramadan will coincide with the winter solstice – the shortest days of the year.
By contrast, Muslims in the Southern Hemisphere are currently experiencing comparatively longer fasts, as Ramadan falls closer to late summer and early autumn there.
A global snapshot: Who fasts how long?
Because Ramadan 2026 falls in late winter for the Northern Hemisphere:
In cities like London, Paris, and Istanbul, fasting on the first day will last about 12 to 13 hours, increasing slightly as the days lengthen toward spring.
In parts of North America, including New York City, durations will be similar.
Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere:
Cities such as Santiago, Auckland, and Cape Town will see fasting hours closer to 14–15 hours at the start of Ramadan.
However, their fasting days will gradually shorten as autumn approaches.
Bangladesh: Shorter days, intense evenings
In Dhaka, Ramadan 2026 will fall toward the end of winter and the beginning of spring. That means fasting hours will be relatively moderate compared to peak summer Ramadans in previous years.
The first few days are expected to see fasting durations of around 12.5 to 13 hours – shorter than the gruelling 15-hour summer fasts Bangladesh experienced when Ramadan fell in May and June several years ago.
But shorter daylight does not necessarily mean an easier month.
The sehri routine
In Bangladesh, sehri begins well before dawn. In many neighbourhoods, the quiet of early morning is broken by mosque announcements, alarm clocks, and the last-minute rush to finish meals before Fajr.
The iftar rush
As sunset approaches, the atmosphere transforms. Roads in Dhaka become congested as people race home before Maghrib. Temporary stalls line major streets selling traditional iftar staples – puffed rice, fried snacks, chickpeas, and seasonal fruits.
The final minutes before sunset are often marked by a collective pause: television screens tuned to prayer time announcements, families seated around prepared trays, and mosques filling up.
Faith, discipline and Taqwa
Muslims believe Ramadan is the month when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad more than 1,400 years ago.
The fast involves abstaining from food, drink, smoking and marital relations during daylight hours. But its deeper purpose is to cultivate taqwa — a heightened consciousness of God, self-restraint and empathy for the less fortunate.
In Bangladesh, Ramadan also brings:
Increased charitable giving (zakat and sadaqah)
Crowded mosques for nightly Taraweeh prayers
Community iftars hosted by neighbourhoods and organisations
Special programming on television and radio
Economic pressures and market realities
Ramadan in Bangladesh is also closely tied to the economy.
Each year, prices of essential commodities – edible oil, sugar, chickpeas, dates – become a major public concern. Government agencies often step up monitoring efforts to prevent price hikes and hoarding.
For many lower-income families, balancing the spiritual joy of the month with rising market costs remains a challenge. Yet community sharing, mosque-based meals and neighbourhood solidarity often soften those pressures.
A shared greeting across borders
Despite differences in daylight hours and local customs, Muslims around the world greet the month with similar words:
“Ramzan Mobarak” – wishing a blessed month
“Ramadan Mubarak” – wishing a blessed month
“Ramadan Kareem” – wishing a generous month
Whether spoken in Arabic, Bengali, Turkish or Bahasa Indonesia, the sentiment carries the same hope: renewal, patience and spiritual growth.
One month, many experiences
Ramadan 2026 may mean a 12-hour winter fast in Europe, a 15-hour late-summer fast in the Southern Hemisphere, or a moderate spring fast in Bangladesh.
Yet across continents – from Dhaka to London to Santiago – the rhythm remains the same: pre-dawn meals in darkness, restraint through daylight, and the quiet relief of sunset.
Different clocks. Different climates. One shared devotion.