Ramadan Start 2026 in the Philippines

Ramadan Start marks the beginning of the holy month of fasting for Muslims, observed with prayers, reflection, and spiritual devotion. It is an important time for Filipino Muslims to strengthen their faith and practice compassion and self-discipline.

Ramadan Start: A Public Holiday?

Ramadan Start is not a public holiday in the Philippines, but it is a significant religious observance for Filipino Muslims, marked with prayers and preparations for fasting.

Ramadan Start

Ramadan is one of the most sacred months in Islam, marking the time when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad. It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims around the world through fasting, prayer, and reflection. The practice of Ramadan was introduced to the Philippines centuries ago, brought by Arab traders and missionaries even before Spanish colonization. Islam took root particularly in Mindanao and the southern islands, where Muslim communities flourished.

In the Philippines today, Ramadan Start is an important religious event for Filipino Muslims. Although it is not a national public holiday, it holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. The start of Ramadan is based on the sighting of the new moon, marking the beginning of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Once the sighting is confirmed, announcements are made through mosques and Islamic authorities, uniting Muslim Filipinos in a month-long journey of faith and renewal.

Observance of Ramadan Start in the Philippines

The beginning of Ramadan is met with preparation, prayer, and a spirit of community among Filipino Muslims. Special prayers called Tarawih are performed at night, and families come together to prepare for sahur, the early morning meal before the day's fast begins. Mosques are filled with worshippers who pray for guidance, forgiveness, and strength for the coming month. Islamic councils announce the official start, often after the traditional moon sighting that follows the Islamic calendar.

Ramadan Start is also a time of increased charity and compassion. Filipino Muslims begin organizing donation drives, helping the less fortunate, and planning outreach activities. Markets become livelier in the evenings as people prepare for iftar, the meal that breaks the fast. Many communities host communal iftar gatherings, strengthening bonds among neighbors and families.

The importance of Ramadan Start lies in its role as a gateway to spiritual growth and self-improvement. It encourages patience, generosity, and reflection, values that resonate deeply within the Muslim Filipino community. Though it is not a national holiday, its observance enriches the cultural and religious landscape of the Philippines, fostering respect, understanding, and unity across different faiths and traditions.

Ramadan Start Observances