Malaysia Expects Ramadan 2026 to Start on February 19

Malaysia’s official moon sighting to determine the start of the holy month will take place on Tuesday, February 17, the 29th of Sha‘ban, with religious authorities expected to announce the decision later that evening.

Rabat – Ramadan in Malaysia in 2026 is expected to begin in the third week of February, most likely on Thursday, February 19, though the final date will only be confirmed after the official moon sighting due on February 17.

In Malaysia, the start of Ramadan is marked by a formal announcement made on the evening of the 29th day of Sha‘ban. The declaration is delivered by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, following reports from 29 official moon-sighting locations across the country.

The decision is based on a combination of physical moon sighting (rukyah) and astronomical calculations (hisab), then consented to by the Conference of Rulers and decreed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The announcement is broadcast live on Radio Televisyen Malaysia, and once it is made, there is no ambiguity — Ramadan has begun.

The first day of Ramadan is a national public holiday in Malaysia, reflecting the importance of the month in public and religious life. If Ramadan begins on February 19, fasting will start at dawn and end at sunset, lasting around 13 hours each day.

In the days leading up to Ramadan, the country quietly prepares. Mosques finalize prayer schedules, especially for nightly Tarawih prayers. Markets and streets fill with Ramadan bazaars selling food for breaking the fast. Offices shorten working hours. Families plan meals, visits, and long evenings together.

For Muslims, this means abstaining from food and drink, but also slowing down, praying more, and being mindful of how they speak and act. Mornings are calmer. Evenings are busy and social. Cities come alive after sunset, with food stalls, traffic, and people gathering well into the night.

Despite the physical demands, many Malaysians look forward to Ramadan more than any other time of year. It brings a slower pace, a stronger sense of community, and a shared atmosphere that extends beyond religious practice. There is more patience in public spaces, more generosity, and a strong sense of togetherness.

As the month progresses, attention slowly turns toward Eid al-Fitr, but until then, Ramadan remains a shared experience — deeply spiritual for Muslims, and quietly meaningful for the country as a whole.