Fasting hours during Ramadan 2026 vary according to geographical location and latitude, with significant differences between countries across the globe.
اضافة اعلان
Muslims in the Arab world observe the holy month of Ramadan by fasting from dawn until sunset, with daily fasting periods ranging between 11 and 16 hours depending on the time of year.
Ramadan is regarded as a time for both physical and spiritual discipline, encouraging believers to abstain from negative behaviors. Muslims welcome the month as an opportunity for reflection, spiritual elevation, and moral growth. It is also a deeply social occasion, as families and friends gather for iftar meals and congregational prayers.
Fasting hours differ from one location to another worldwide. As winter prevails in the Northern Hemisphere during Ramadan 2026, residents there experience shorter fasting periods, typically between 12 and 13 hours.
Overall, fasting hours this year are influenced by geographic position and latitude. Countries in the southern Arab region record the shortest fasting hours, which gradually increase as one moves northward.
Countries with the Shortest Fasting Hours
Several African nations and the Comoros top the list of countries with the shortest fasting hours due to their proximity to the equator:
Comoros: Approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes.
Somalia: Around 12 hours and 55 minutes.
Djibouti: Roughly 13 hours and 5 minutes.
Moderate Fasting Durations
Countries in this category experience relatively similar fasting times, averaging around 13 and a half hours:
Saudi Arabia: About 13 hours and 25 minutes.
United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain: Approximately 13 hours and 22 minutes.
Kuwait and Oman: Around 13 hours and 27 minutes.
Egypt: Fasting hours begin at roughly 13 hours at the start of Ramadan 2026 and reach about 13 hours and 35 minutes toward the end of the month.
Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan: Between 13 hours and 20 minutes and 13 hours and 30 minutes.
Iraq (Baghdad): Around 13 hours and 30 minutes.
Longer Fasting Periods Worldwide
In several countries of the Southern Hemisphere, fasting hours are longer:
Christchurch, New Zealand: 15 hours and 22 minutes.
Puerto Montt, Chile: 15 hours and 13 minutes.
Canberra, Australia: 14 hours and 48 minutes.
Montevideo, Uruguay: 14 hours and 42 minutes.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: 14 hours and 42 minutes.
Fasting hours gradually increase as the days progress in countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, among others.
Residents of the Southern Hemisphere are required to fast for longer hours this year. In countries such as South Africa, as well as Chile and New Zealand, fasting extends between 14 and 15 hours. However, fasting durations will gradually decrease as Ramadan progresses.
The Longest Fasting Hours
According to astronomical forecasts, some areas in Northern Europe and the far north of the Northern Hemisphere experience extended daylight hours, resulting in unusually long fasting periods compared to other countries. In these regions, fasting may reach approximately 21 hours per day, according to Study in Sweden.
On the island of Greenland, fasting hours in certain areas are expected to reach approximately 21 hours and 2 minutes.
— Agencies
