The Anticipation of a Blessed Month
As the crescent moon prepares to grace the sky once more, hearts across the world begin to stir. Ramadan is more than a month of fasting; it is a time of mercy, devotion, and renewal. Each year, Muslims await this sacred season with love and anticipation, ready to welcome a month in which the doors of Paradise open and the hearts of believers soften.
In 2026, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Tuesday, 17 February 2026, with the first fast on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, subject to the sighting of the new moon.
For Muslims in the United Kingdom and beyond, this time marks the renewal of faith, the return of nightly prayers, and a chance to strengthen bonds of unity and compassion.
The Importance of Moon Sighting
Islam follows a lunar calendar, and each month begins when the crescent moon, known as the Hilal, is sighted. The beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Fast when you see the crescent, and break your fast when you see it.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1900)
This divine instruction connects us to the natural rhythm of creation. Muslims do not rely on mechanical calculations alone, but on the actual sighting of the moon, a practice that keeps the community united in tradition and spirit.
Because the moon’s visibility depends on weather and geography, the start of Ramadan 2026 may differ slightly between countries. Some communities may begin fasting a day earlier or later, depending on when the crescent is visible. In the UK, moonsighting committees and scholars carefully observe and verify these sightings before announcing the start of the holy month.
Moonsighting in the United Kingdom
In Britain, many mosques and organisations observe the traditional method of moonsighting. Trained observers look for the new crescent on the 29th day of Sha’ban, the month before Ramadan. If the moon is not sighted due to clouds or weather, the month is completed with thirty days, and Ramadan begins the following evening.
This method follows the Ahl-e-Sunnah Wal-Jama’ah approach and reflects the unity and precision of Islamic practice.
Some UK scholars also accept verified reports from trusted regions, such as Morocco, when local weather prevents sighting. This balanced approach allows the community to begin Ramadan together, maintaining both authenticity and unity.
A Month of Unity and Worship
When the moon is finally sighted, joy spreads across the Muslim world. Families prepare their first suhoor, mosques light up with taraweeh prayers, and hearts turn toward Allah with renewed humility.
Ramadan is a time of unity. In homes, streets, and masjids from Muzaffarabad to Manchester, believers rise before dawn and break their fast together at sunset. The rich and poor alike taste hunger, learning compassion through experience.
This is the essence of Ramadan: empathy, patience, and devotion. It is the month when hearts are purified, sins are forgiven, and the gates of mercy are opened wide.
Preparing for Ramadan 2026
To make the most of Ramadan 2026, preparation begins now. Spiritual and practical readiness ensure that every moment of this sacred month is filled with purpose.
Here are some ways to prepare:
- Renew your intentions. Approach Ramadan as an opportunity for inner transformation.
- Reconnect with the Qur’an. Set a daily goal to recite and reflect.
- Increase prayer and remembrance. Establish consistency in worship.
- Seek forgiveness. Clear your heart before the month begins.
- Plan your charity. Ensure your Zakat, Sadaqah, and regular donations are ready.
Compassion in Action: Helping Families in Kashmir
As we prepare for our own fasting and comfort, thousands of families in Azad Kashmir prepare for Ramadan with empty cupboards and uncertainty. Harsh winters, poverty, and isolation make even simple meals difficult to afford.
Imagine a widow in Neelum Valley preparing iftar for her children with only bread and water. Imagine a father in Muzaffarabad who cannot provide dates for his family to break their fast. These stories are real, and they unfold every year in our ancestral homeland.
Through the work of the Kashmir Welfare Foundation, your generosity becomes their hope. Every food pack you help provide feeds a family for an entire month. Every drop of clean water shared is an act of Sadaqah Jariyah that continues to benefit long after the fast has ended.
Your Zakat transforms hunger into relief, hardship into peace, and despair into gratitude. Ramadan is not only about fasting but about feeding those who cannot fast without support.
The Spirit of Giving: Why UK Support Matters
British Muslims have always played a leading role in sustaining Kashmir’s most vulnerable communities. Your donations reach the forgotten villages, the mountain homes cut off by snow, and the families who live with quiet dignity despite hardship.
This Ramadan, let every act of charity be a reflection of your faith. Every meal you sponsor, every orphan you support, every widow you uplift—these are investments in your hereafter.
Your kindness travels across oceans, lighting homes and hearts throughout Kashmir. Together, we turn compassion into a lifeline.
A Timeless Message of Faith and Renewal
Whether the moon is seen on the 19th or 20th of February, the meaning remains unchanged: Ramadan 2026 will be a time of mercy, unity, and transformation.
Let us prepare our hearts and homes to welcome it with sincerity.
Let us feed the hungry, care for the poor, and stand beside the forgotten.
And let our fasts, prayers, and charity be accepted by Allah, the Most Merciful.
May Allah (SWT) bless us to witness Ramadan in good health, faith, and unity. May He fill our days with light, our nights with forgiveness, and our hearts with peace.
Ramadan Mubarak from Kashmir Welfare Foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. When will Ramadan 2026 begin?
In 2026, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Tuesday, 17 February 2026, with the first fast on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, subject to the sighting of the new moon.
2. Why does the date of Ramadan change each year?
Islam follows a lunar calendar, so months are based on moon cycles. Each year, Ramadan starts about ten to eleven days earlier than the previous year.
3. What is the importance of moonsighting?
Moonsighting keeps the Islamic calendar connected to nature and the Sunnah. It ensures that fasting begins and ends according to prophetic guidance.
4. Why do some communities start fasting on different days?
Differences in geographical location and visibility of the crescent can cause slight variations. Muslims are advised to follow their local scholars and mosques.
5. How can I prepare spiritually for Ramadan?
Begin by seeking forgiveness, increasing your prayers, giving charity, and planning your Zakat. Enter the month with sincerity and gratitude.
