Fasting (Ramadan)

1. Introduction to Fasting / Ramadan
2. Full details of Fasting from Quran: Chapter 2:183-187
3. Religious Duties: A Gift From God: Fasting (Ramadan)
4. Spiritual Benefits of Fasting: Ramadan, A Gift of Rememberance
5. Misunderstandings and Violations in Ramadan
6. The Night of Destiny
7. Medical Benefits of Ramadan
8. Ramadan and Thanksgiving

Ramadan 2024

[March 11 - April 8] Western parts of USA and Canada
[March 10 - April 8] for most of USA, Mexico; and parts of Canada, South America, parts of Europe, parts of Africa
[March 11 - April 8] Most of Asia, parts of Europe, parts of Africa, Australia and New Zealand

God willing this year Ramadan begins on March 10, 2024 and ends on April 8, 2024 for most parts of America (e.g., USA, Canada, Mexico) and Europe.

Along the Eastern hemisphere, including most of Asia, the middle-east, Australia and New Zealand, fasting begins on March 11 and ends on April 8.

To be sure, you may wish to check the new moon timings and compare them to the sunset times at your location. For example, when calculating the end of Ramadan, if the new moon is before sunset of April 8th at your location, then that day is your last fasting day.

Similarly, for the first day of fasting, please check the sunset time at your location and compare it with the new moon time. For example, if the new moon is before sunset on the 10th of March, then March 11th is the first day of fasting for you, God willing. However, if the new moon is after sunset on the 11th, then you will fast on the 12th of March God willing.

To be safe, please check the sunset time at your location and compare it with the new moon time for the beginning and end of the month. You can add your time zone difference from UTC/GMT (below) to obtain the local time for the new moon, or check with one of the software utilities online.

The Night of Destiny (Night of Power) will be on April 5, 2024, God willing (if you begin fasting on March 11th).

The new moon times to be used for determining the beginning and ending of Ramadan are given below for UT (Universal time) – also called GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).

To calculate the Ramadan start date - compare the time of the New Moon with the Sunset in your location. If the new moon is born before sunset, you should fast the next day God willing. Similarly to determine the last day of fasting - compare the time of the next New Moon with the sunset in your location. If the new moon is born before sunset, the month of Ramadan is complete on that day.

Phases of the moon data (including the new moon) for this year (and beyond) are available at the US Naval Observatory. All times are in UTC (also known as GMT). To convert to your time zone you can use the Time Zone Converter. Calculate the information for the date you are interested. Compare the time of sunset with the time for the new moon (in local time).