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Fez — As Ramadan 2026 began this week, Muslims across the globe are currently observing varying fasting hours depending on their location.
Because the Islamic lunar calendar shifts roughly 10 to 12 days earlier each year (it takes 33 years for it to circle through the solar year), Ramadan is presently falling in late winter and early spring for the Northern Hemisphere.
This seasonal timing significantly affects daylight length, resulting in more moderate fasting hours for the North compared to the grueling summer cycles of the previous decade.
The astronomical shift of 2026 presents a unique phenomenon. Since the month is occurring just before the Spring Equinox, the “fasting map” is the inverse of what many expect.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the further north a city is located, the shorter its fast will be.
Conversely, in the Southern Hemisphere, the further south a city is located, the longer the fast.
This is due to the Earth’s axial tilt, which currently leaves the North in the tail end of winter and the South in the final stretch of summer.
Africa
In North Africa, fasting hours are relatively balanced right now.
In Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, fasting during these first days of Ramadan lasts approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes, gradually increasing as the month progresses toward March.
Egypt records similar durations of roughly 12.5 hours.
Further south, countries closer to the equator such as Nigeria and Senegal observe fasts of roughly 13 hours.
South Africa, located in the Southern Hemisphere, records longer fasts at the start of Ramadan, averaging close to 14 hours and 15 minutes, before gradually shortening.
Middle East
Across the Gulf and the Levant, fasting hours remain moderate.
In Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, Muslims are fasting for approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes to 13 hours at the beginning of the month.
Turkey, due to its higher latitude during the Northern winter, records shorter durations than the Gulf, starting at approximately 12 to 12.5 hours.
Europe
Europe sees some of the shortest fasting hours this year, particularly in northern regions.
In Scandinavia, including Sweden and Norway, fasting is currently only 11.5 to 12 hours — the shortest global average for 2026.
Western European countries such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom average between 12 and 12.5 hours.
Southern Europe, including Spain and Italy, records around 12.5 to 13 hours.
The Americas
In North America, fasting hours vary by latitude.
Northern Canada currently sees short fasts of 11.5 to 12 hours, while most US cities average between 12.5 and 13 hours.
In South America, including Brazil and Argentina, fasting ranges from 14 to 15 hours, as the Southern Hemisphere is currently transitioning out of its summer peak.
Asia and Oceania
In South Asia, including Pakistan and India, fasting hours average 12.5 to 13 hours.
Indonesia and Malaysia, located near the equator, observe stable fasting periods of approximately 13 hours.
Australia and New Zealand record between 15 and 15.5 hours at the start of Ramadan, the longest durations globally.
While fasting durations differ across continents, the shared rhythm of suhoor before dawn and iftar at sunset continues to unite Muslims worldwide in spiritual discipline and reflection.
