Good news for anyone already counting down to Ramadan, this year’s holy month is set to fall during the UAE’s winter season, making fasting more comfortable than usual.

According to astronomers, Ramadan will arrive toward the end of winter and the start of early spring, bringing milder temperatures, cooler evenings, and shorter fasting hours, expected to be around 30 minutes shorter than Ramadan 2025, making it one of the more comfortable Ramadans in recent years.

When Is Ramadan Likely to Start?

With Shaaban officially beginning on January 20, astronomers can now predict Ramadan’s timing more accurately. The UAE will look for the Ramadan crescent moon on February 17, though experts say it’s unlikely to be sighted that night.

The best chance to spot the crescent is expected on February 18, which would mean Ramadan begins on February 19. This date also aligns with the official calendar issued by Awqaf, adding weight to the prediction.

Could Eid Al Fitr be a Long Weekend?

Once Ramadan ends, all eyes will turn to the Shawwal moon. Astronomers say the most likely date to sight the Shawwal crescent is March 19, which would place Eid Al Fitr on Friday, March 20.

If confirmed, Eid holidays would run from March 20 to March 22, giving many residents a three-day weekend, a pretty great way to wrap up the holy month.

What About the Weather, Fasting Hours?

Because Ramadan falls during a seasonal transition this year, fasting should be more manageable. Expect pleasant evenings, cooler nights, and daytime temperatures ranging from the mid-20s°C early in the month, rising to the high-20s°C toward the end.

Iftar, Suhoor timings

Shorter fasting days will also mean earlier Iftar times, especially at the start of Ramadan. In Dubai, sunset, and Iftar, is expected to be around 6.15pm at the beginning of the month, moving to approximately 6.23pm by mid-Ramadan and 6.30pm toward the end. Abu Dhabi’s Iftar timings will be slightly later, with sunset expected around 6.19pm at the start, 6.26pm midway through the month, and 6.33pm by the final days.

As for Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal is expected to end between 5.00am and 5.20am during the early days of Ramadan, gradually shifting as the month progresses.

A winter Ramadan, shorter fasting hours, and the possibility of a long Eid weekend, this year’s holy month is shaping up to be a gentler one.

Now we wait for the sighting of the Ramadan moon. Last year, the UAE Council for Fatwa used AI-powered drones to sight the crescent marking the beginning of the holy month.

The UAE has officially declared 2026 as the Year of the Family, and at its heart, the message is simple: strong families build strong societies.

Announced under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Year of the Family puts the spotlight on what has always been a cornerstone of life in the UAE, close-knit families, shared values and collective responsibility.

Far from being symbolic, the initiative is about recognising the family as the starting point of everything from social stability to national identity.

For decades, the UAE has placed people at the centre of development. Families here are not viewed simply as traditional units, but as spaces where values are shaped, identity is formed, and future generations are nurtured. That philosophy has guided national policies focused on wellbeing, education, healthcare and social protection.

Dispute resolution

Over the years, this approach has taken shape through modern family-focused legislation, updated personal status laws and dedicated dispute resolution centres designed to protect children, women and the elderly. Child protection remains a key priority, with laws like the Wadeema Law strengthening safeguards and ensuring the best interests of children are always front and centre.

The Year of the Family builds on this foundation and aims to accelerate progress. It will bring together government entities, the private sector and civil society to launch new initiatives, community programmes and research projects that support family life at every stage, from early childhood to parenthood and beyond.

Working parents support

Supporting working parents is also a major focus. Policies around flexible work, maternity and paternity leave, workplace nurseries and women’s empowerment continue to evolve, helping families balance modern life without compromising connection at home.

Housing, healthcare and education remain critical pillars too. From family-friendly neighbourhoods and green spaces to mental health services and early childhood development programmes, the UAE’s family-first approach is designed to improve quality of life in practical, measurable ways.

• The Year of the Family revolves around three key ideas:
  Roots, by strengthening values and intergenerational bonds;
  Connections, by encouraging communication and closeness at home, and
  Growth, by giving families the tools they need to thrive.

At its core, the message is clear: When families are supported, society grows stronger, the future of the nation becomes more secure.

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has called on everyone across the UAE to come together on Saturday, January 17, by tuning in to the national media channels for a broadcast of the UAE national anthem at 11am.

Taking to social media ahead of the Day of Resolve, Sheikh Hamdan urged residents to reflect on the values that continue to unite the nation. “On January 17 each year, we reflect on the resolve, unity and solidarity shown by the people of the UAE, standing proudly behind their national flag to safeguard the country’s achievements and uphold its global standing,” he said.

adding that the anthem broadcast is an invitation for everyone in the country to renew their commitment to the UAE’s continued progress.

“We invite everyone across the UAE to follow our national media channels, which will broadcast the national anthem at 11am tomorrow, Saturday, as we renew our pledge and determination to continue advancing and elevating our beloved country.”

January 17 holds deep national significance for the UAE, marking a moment of collective strength, resilience and unity. The day commemorates the country’s steadfast response to the January 17, 2022, attacks on civilian infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, which claimed innocent lives and underscored the nation’s solidarity in the face of adversity.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has previously described January 17 as a day that reflects the UAE’s strength, resilience and unity, values that continue to define the nation today.

Residents are encouraged to pause at 11am on Saturday, wherever they are, to join in this nationwide moment of remembrance, pride and unity.