Arabic ToolboxRamadan · بداية رمضان
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. It lasts 29 or 30 days and ends with Eid al-Fitr.
Ramadan dates in Saudi Arabia
1 Ramadan each Hijri year, from the Umm al-Qura calendar.
When does Ramadan start?
Ramadan begins on 1 Ramadan in the Hijri calendar. Because the Islamic year is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, Ramadan starts roughly 11 days earlier each Gregorian year.
The first fast is on the date shown. The first night of Ramadan — including the first taraweeh prayer — is the evening before, as Islamic days begin at sunset.
How is the start of Ramadan confirmed?
Islamic months begin with the new crescent moon. Saudi Arabia's Umm al-Qura calendar calculates month starts in advance, but the start of Ramadan and the two Eids is announced officially after the crescent is sighted (or not) on the evening of the 29th. If the sighting differs from the calculation, the actual date can move by one day. Other countries make their own announcements, so dates can also differ between countries.
How long is Ramadan?
Ramadan has 29 or 30 days. In the Umm al-Qura calendar its length is known in advance, but the official end — and therefore Eid al-Fitr — is again confirmed by moon sighting.
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Frequently asked questions
When does Ramadan start in Saudi Arabia?
The expected start date for the next Ramadan is shown at the top of this page, calculated from the Umm al-Qura calendar. The official start is announced in Saudi Arabia after the crescent moon sighting on the evening of 29 Shaban.
How many days until Ramadan?
The countdown at the top of this page shows the number of days until the expected first day of fasting, using today's date in Saudi Arabia.
Is the Ramadan date confirmed?
Dates marked Estimated are calculated. They become confirmed only after the official announcement, which usually happens one day before Ramadan begins.
Why do some countries start Ramadan on a different day?
Each country announces the start of Ramadan based on its own moon sighting or calculation method, so the start can differ by a day between countries.
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التاريخ الهجري اليوم
Hijri Date Today →
Today's Islamic date in Saudi Arabia (Umm al-Qura) with this month's calendar.
تحويل التاريخ
Hijri Date Converter →
Convert Gregorian to Hijri and Hijri to Gregorian dates, with weekday.
التقويم الهجري
Islamic Calendar →
Full Hijri year calendars: every month with its Gregorian dates and occasions.