The Holy Month Approaches Dubai Gears Up for Ramadan 2026
The spiritual rhythm of the Islamic world is about to change again as the holy month of Ramadan approaches. This year, the countdown has really begun. People, businesses, and expats in Dubai and the rest of the United Arab Emirates are getting ready for a month of fasting, thinking, being with others, and having fun. There are already rumors about when Ramadan 2026 will start, and people are already getting ready for it. This will be a very important and special time.
What will be different about Ramadan in the winter in 2026?
Unlike in recent years, when Ramadan fell in the warmer spring or summer months, it will start in the middle of winter in late February 2026. A lot of people think that the weather will be nicer and the fasting hours will be a little shorter than they are in the summer. This change has an effect on how people live, do business, go to school, and travel during different seasons, as well as on their daily lives and fasting experiences.
Islamic lunar tradition says that Ramadan starts when the new crescent moon is seen each year. The Islamic calendar is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, so the holy month moves through the seasons. Astronomical calculations and moon-sighting projections suggest that Ramadan will most likely begin in Dubai on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Some groups, on the other hand, may start fasting on Wednesday, February 18, if they can see the crescent moon earlier.
Seeing the Moon: Where Science and Tradition Meet
The hilal, or waxing crescent moon, is the sign that Ramadan has begun at the end of the month of Sha’ban. Islamic scholars, astronomical groups, and moon-sighting committees in the UAE and the Gulf look at the western horizon right after sunset to see if they can see the new moon phase.
The Emirates Astronomical Society’s local forecasts say that the moon will be born on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in the afternoon. However, it may not be seen until the next evening. If people see the crescent moon on February 17, Ramadan would start the next day, which is Wednesday, February 18. If not, the holy month would begin on February 19, 2026, which is a Thursday.
People all over the world are used to this short time of not knowing when Ramadan will start. The first day of Ramadan is usually announced after people see the moon in real time, not on set dates. But modern astronomical predictions have already given the community a good idea of when the holy month will begin.
When Ramadan 2026 is likely to happen
This is what the Ramadan schedule in the UAE and Dubai will probably be like:
- You can see the crescent moon on the night of February 17 or 18, 2026.
- If the moon is seen early, Ramadan will likely start on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, or Thursday, February 19, 2026.
- Length: 29 or 30 days, depending on when the moon is seen later in March.
- Eid al-Fitr is expected to be on Friday, March 20, 2026, or Thursday, March 19, if Ramadan lasts 29 days.
Eid al-Fitr, a happy holiday that marks the end of fasting and the start of the month of Shawwal, will end Ramadan, as is common in the Muslim world.
We are already getting ready.
You can feel the approach of Ramadan in Dubai weeks before it starts. Markets, malls, and mosques start putting up festive lights and banners. Families and friends start making plans for suhoor (the meal before dawn), charity events, and prayers. Grocery stores start selling traditional foods and sweets.
Local governments and groups also make plans well in advance. To meet the spiritual needs of Ramadan, schools and businesses change their hours. This means shorter hours, different start and end times, and more breaks for family and prayer activities.
To honor the extra spiritual and family duties that come with the holy month, both the government and the private sector have rules that say employees must work fewer hours.
What Ramadan Means to People Who Live in Dubai
For Muslims in Dubai and the rest of the UAE, Ramadan is about more than just not eating or drinking between fajr (dawn) and maghrib (sunset). It’s a time to reflect on yourself, refresh your spirit, and come together as a group.
- Fasting (Sawm): Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims show their devotion, self-control, and compassion for those who are less fortunate by not eating, drinking, or meeting other physical needs during the day.
- Prayer and Reflection: All month long, mosques hold extra prayers and taraweeh (night prayers). This helps people connect with each other and with God.
- Charity (Zakat and Sadaqah): Helping those in need becomes a main goal, and people are strongly encouraged to do so.• Iftar Gatherings: Every day at maghrib, people break their fast with family and friends, often in large groups.
These traditions mix with the city’s cosmopolitan vibe in Dubai. The city is open to both serious worship and happy celebration. For example, there are big mosque gatherings at famous places like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and small family iftars at home.
Ramadan Outside of the Mosque: Community and Business
Ramadan also changes the cultural calendar and business scene in Dubai. Before Ramadan, many stores plan sales and promotions to get ready for people who want to buy gifts and shop. After sunset, restaurants, stores, and public places change their hours and offer appropriate dining options, but they also respect spiritual values. The city’s Ramadan atmosphere is even better because of festivals, cultural events, and community events.
More and more people from other countries are coming to Dubai during Ramadan, so travelers should know that things will be different, like prayer times and local customs.
Eid and the start of a new season are on my mind.
Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan with food, thanks, and family fun. In the UAE, people celebrate the holiday with public events, special prayers, and fun gatherings that bring everyone together. Eid is a long weekend that includes reflection, celebration, and cultural celebration. Many businesses give their employees extra time off for it.
As the UAE moves from Ramadan to the Season of Wulfa, a cultural series that celebrates Ramadan, Hag Al Leila, and Eid traditions, people in the emirate can look forward to a long time of shared heritage and community spirit.
In short, Ramadan 2026 in Dubai and the UAE will likely begin in the middle or end of February. The first day of fasting will be Thursday, February 19, 2026. Homes, businesses, and institutions are already making plans for the spiritual rhythm of this holy season as the city gets ready.
