Ramadan guide.

When does Ramadan begin?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and a month-long observance of fasting from dawn until sunset. The exact start date varies year to year because the Islamic calendar is roughly 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar; the month rotates through the seasons over a 33-year cycle.

Ramadan 1448 AH is expected to begin on or around 15 February 2027 in the Gregorian calendar, depending on local moonsighting. Major mosques and umbrella organisations issue confirmation in the days immediately before the expected start. WhiskAI publishes the projected date and updates as confirmation arrives.

Sehri and iftar

The fast begins each day at sehri (the pre-dawn meal), traditionally taken before the Fajr adhan. It ends at iftar (the breaking of the fast) at the Maghrib adhan, after sunset. On WhiskAI, your city's Fajr time is the start of the fast and Maghrib time is the end. We recommend completing sehri several minutes before Fajr to allow for natural rounding and personal observance.

British Muslims face particularly long summer fasts due to the country's high northern latitude — when Ramadan falls in June, fasts can extend to 18 hours or more in northern England and Scotland. American Muslims in southern states (Florida, Texas) face more moderate fasts of 14 to 15 hours; northern US cities (Seattle, Boston) align more with British times in summer.

Who fasts?

Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for adult Muslims who are physically and mentally capable. Several categories of people are excused or required to defer:

• Travellers may defer fasts and make them up later
• Those who are ill, pregnant, breastfeeding, or menstruating may defer
• Children and the elderly are not obliged, though older children often fast voluntarily
• Those with chronic conditions that make fasting harmful are typically excused, with optional fidya (compensation in feeding the poor)

Religious questions about your specific situation should be directed to your local imam.

Taraweeh prayers

Taraweeh is the special nightly congregational prayer performed during Ramadan, held after Isha. Most British and American mosques host taraweeh nightly throughout the month, with a portion of the Quran recited each night so that the entire Quran is completed by the end of Ramadan. Times vary by mosque; check your local mosque's published schedule.

Eid al-Fitr

Ramadan concludes with Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast. Eid al-Fitr 1448 is expected on or around 17 March 2027, again subject to moonsighting. Eid prayer is held in congregation in the morning, typically at 30 to 60 minutes after sunrise. Most British mosques and American Islamic centres host multiple Eid prayer slots and overflow congregations to accommodate the much larger turnout.

A note on intentions

Ramadan is more than abstention from food and drink — it is a month of intensified prayer, recitation of the Quran, and charitable giving. Many British and American Muslim communities organise food banks, iftar meals for the homeless, and zakat collection drives during Ramadan. WhiskAI signals these community resources where we can verify them through public sources.