The holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting for Muslims worldwide, begins in several Arab and Islamic countries today, February 18. The fast is expected to last until March 19 and involves a total prohibition on eating, drinking, and smoking during daylight hours.
Ramadan is a month of the lunar calendar, meaning its start is determined by the sighting of the new crescent moon. If the crescent is not visible and the preceding month of the Islamic calendar — Sha'ban — reaches its full 30 days, the start of the fast is shifted by one day. This was the case for religious authorities in several countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Syria, and Tunisia, where the first day of Ramadan has been officially designated as Thursday, February 19.
Special Guidelines for All
During the fast, tourists visiting Arab and Islamic countries are generally advised to refrain from eating or smoking in public spaces, although these behavioral guidelines are often not mandatory. The Russian Consulate General in Hurghada has issued a warning for those in Egypt to exercise particular caution on the roads, especially shortly before sunset, as Muslims prepare to break their fast with the Iftar meal. Diplomats also urged vacationers to "refrain from entertainment activities that rely on human factors," recalling the 2025 tragedy involving a submersible near Hurghada that resulted in the deaths of seven Russian tourists during the final week of the fast.
Public venues in Islamic countries, including supermarkets, restaurants, and museums, typically adjust their operating hours during Ramadan. For instance, the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza will close two hours earlier than usual, at 5:00 PM local time, while access to the Giza Pyramids will be shortened by half an hour, with the site closing at 3:30 PM.
History and Significance
Observing the Ramadan fast is one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside the profession of faith, daily prayer, charity, and the pilgrimage to Mecca. The timing of the month is significant: it was during a night in Ramadan that the first five verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in the Hira cave. This event, known in Islamic tradition as the "Night of Power" (Laylat al-Qadr), is honored during the final ten days of the fast. Traditionally, children, the elderly, the sick, pregnant women, and those traveling are exempt from the obligation to fast.
Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr (known as Uraza-bayram among Turkic peoples), which typically lasts several days and is declared a public holiday across the Islamic world.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Based on materials from TASS