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Fez — Muslims across Turkiye are preparing for Ramadan in 2026, with the country’s official religious authorities indicating that the first day of fasting will fall on Thursday, February 19.
According to the religious days calendar published by Turkiye’s Presidency of Religious Affairs, known as the Diyanet, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Wednesday, February 18. Under this timetable, the first sahur, or pre-dawn meal, would be observed overnight, followed by the first full day of fasting on February 19.
The Diyanet’s calendar is widely followed across Turkiye and serves as the reference point for mosques, public institutions, schools, and workplaces when planning religious observances. Unlike countries that wait for last-minute announcements, Turkiye traditionally relies on calculated lunar data combined with established religious methodology to set dates well in advance.
Ramadan’s start is tied to the Islamic lunar calendar and the transition from the month of Sha’ban. Astronomically, the new moon associated with Ramadan is expected to occur earlier in the week, making a February 19 start consistent with both lunar calculations and Turkiye’s long-standing practice.
As the holy month approaches, mosques across the country are expected to prepare for extended evening prayers, including Taraweeh, while municipalities and charities organize food distributions and communal iftar programs. In major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, Ramadan also brings visible shifts in daily life, with later working hours, bustling evening streets, and a strong focus on charity and family gatherings.
If Ramadan begins as scheduled, the month would conclude around March 19 or 20, followed by the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr, known locally as Ramazan Bayramı. As in previous years, the Diyanet’s calendar provides a clear framework, allowing millions of worshippers across Turkiye to plan for a month centered on fasting, prayer, and reflection well ahead of time.
