Ramadan 2026 has officially begun in the United Arab Emirates, bringing a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community living across the country. The holy month starts on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, following the confirmed sighting of the crescent moon on Tuesday evening.
The announcement was made after the Moon-Sighting Committee met at Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi, where the crescent was successfully sighted. Shortly after, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) issued the official confirmation and released prayer and iftar timings for the holy month.
Across the UAE, the news marked the emotional start of Ramadan. Mosques prepared for the first Taraweeh prayers, families adjusted daily routines, and neighbourhoods began shifting into the familiar Ramadan rhythm — quieter mornings, slower afternoons, and evenings that come alive after sunset.
In Dubai, the change is always felt instantly. Supermarkets extend hours, mosques prepare for packed night prayers, and the city gently moves into its Ramadan pace. It’s a transition residents know well, and one that shapes daily life for the next month.
Crescent moon sighting confirms the holy month
The sighting of the crescent moon followed the traditional process observed every year across the region. Scholars, officials, and committees gathered after sunset to confirm visibility, continuing a centuries-old practice that marks the beginning of Ramadan.
With the sighting confirmed, the UAE officially declared February 18 as the first day of fasting.
Several countries in the region also aligned with the UAE’s announcement. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain also confirmed Wednesday as the first day of Ramadan.
Meanwhile, Oman announced that Ramadan will begin on Thursday, February 19, after the crescent was not sighted there.
For families in the UAE, moon sighting night is always more than an announcement. It’s a shared moment. Children look for the moon from balconies. Elders share memories from their home countries. Kitchens start preparing for the first suhoor and iftar. It’s quiet, emotional, and meaningful — every year.
Awqaf releases Ramadan prayer and iftar timings
Following the official confirmation, Awqaf released the full Ramadan prayer schedule for the country. This includes timings for Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib (iftar), and Isha prayers.
Mosques across Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and the Northern Emirates immediately updated their schedules. Taraweeh prayers were confirmed for the night of February 18, marking the first evening of Ramadan worship.
For residents, these timings shape daily life throughout the month. Work schedules change. Schools adjust timings. Businesses operate under Ramadan hours. The city slows during the day and becomes active after sunset.
This shift is one of the most defining features of Ramadan in the UAE. It’s not just a religious observance — it’s a lifestyle change that affects transport, dining, retail, and social life.
Ramadan life in Dubai feels different
Ramadan in Dubai has its own rhythm. Mornings are calm. Afternoons are quieter. Nights are full of life.
After Maghrib, the city changes. Families head out for iftar. Mosques fill for prayers. Cafés reopen. Roads become busy again. Parks and waterfronts come alive with people enjoying the cooler air and slower pace.
Neighbourhoods like Deira, Karama, Al Barsha, Jumeirah, and parts of Bur Dubai feel especially active after sunset. Community iftars, mosque food distributions, and charity drives become part of daily life.
This is also the month when generosity becomes visible everywhere — donation boxes in malls, community kitchens, food distribution drives, and volunteer groups supporting workers and families across the city.
For many residents, this is what defines Ramadan in Dubai: shared spaces, shared meals, and a shared sense of calm.
A month that brings the city together
Ramadan in the UAE isn’t only about fasting. It’s about connection.
People reconnect with faith. Families reconnect with each other. Communities reconnect with their values.
Expats and locals experience the month together — through open iftars, mosque visits, community tents, and cultural events. Even for non-Muslims, Ramadan becomes part of daily life in the city, shaping schedules, routines, and social plans.
It’s one of the few times of the year when the entire country moves at the same emotional pace.
Daily routines in the UAE
For residents across the UAE, Ramadan brings familiar changes:
- Shorter working hours
- Adjusted school timings
- Late-night dining and shopping
- Quiet mornings, busy evenings
- Community charity initiatives
- Cultural and religious programming
- Family-focused social life
The rhythm shifts. Life slows during the day and comes alive at night. For many people in Dubai, this rhythm is what makes Ramadan special.
It’s also a time when the city feels softer. Slower. More human.
With the crescent moon sighted and Ramadan 2026 officially underway, the UAE enters a month defined by faith, reflection, discipline, generosity, and togetherness. From mosque prayers and family iftars to charity drives and quiet personal moments, Ramadan reshapes daily life across the country in ways that feel both spiritual and deeply human.
As Dubai and the wider UAE settle into the rhythm of the holy month, the focus returns to what Ramadan has always stood for — community, compassion, and connection.
Follow Social Kandura for more updates on local news and things to do in Dubai and across the UAE — including Travel, Bollywood, food and lifestyle.
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