Ramadan 2026: Expected start on Feb 19 with moderate fasting hours. What it looks like in Canada and the US
Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتسابAstronomical projections suggest Ramadan 1447 AH may begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Final confirmation remains subject to official moon sighting announcements. Eid al-Fitr is widely expected to fall on Friday, March 20, 2026 in many countries, also subject to moon sighting.
Fasting durations in 2026 are expected to be relatively moderate across much of the Arab world, largely ranging from about 12 to 13 hours early in the month, then gradually increasing as daylight lengthens toward the spring equinox.
Why fasting hours vary
Geography is the main driver. Regions closer to the equator see smaller daylight changes across the year, while higher latitudes experience larger seasonal shifts.
Canada and the US: why the first day may differ
North American communities may start Ramadan on different days depending on whether they follow astronomical calculation-based announcements or local moon sighting decisions. The Fiqh Council of North America announced Ramadan 1447 will begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with Eid al-Fitr on Friday, March 20, 2026.
In Canada, Islamic Relief Canada’s city timetables also note Ramadan is expected to begin on February 18, pending moon sighting.
What fasting hours look like in practice
Note: fasting runs from Fajr to Maghrib, so minutes vary by local Fajr calculation method.
Ottawa (practical timetable example)
Day 1 (Wed, Feb 18, 2026): Suhoor ends 5:37 AM, Iftar 5:35 PM. About 11h 58m.
Late month (Thu, Mar 19, 2026): Suhoor ends 5:47 AM, Iftar 7:13 PM. About 13h 26m.
The timetable also shows the daylight saving time shift after March 8, 2026.
Daylength indicators for major cities
Toronto: about 10h 43m on Feb 19, rising to about 12h 06m on Mar 19.
Vancouver: about 10h 25m on Feb 19.
New York: about 10h 51m on Feb 19, rising to about 12h 06m on Mar 19.
Los Angeles: about 11h 07m on Feb 19.
High-latitude communities
In far-northern locations where daylight can become extreme, many follow guidance to fast by the nearest moderate city’s timetable or Makkah timings
