Gambia • February 18, 2026 • Wednesday
Also known as: Ramadan Start
Ramadan doon na fukk ak juroom ñeenteelu weer ci armineey Lislaam, te mooy jamanu sellal bi gënë am solo ci dundug waa Gambiya. Ci réew mi, lu mat fukk ak juroom ñeent ci téémer (95%) ci nitt ñi ay jullit lañu, loolu tax na Ramadan nekk lu mat sëkk ci sunu aada ak sunu diine. Bu weer wi dikkee, dëkk bi yëpp aay soppi, melo bi soppi, te xol yi nekk ci jàmm ak bëgg-bëggu nekkal Yàlla. Ci Gambiya, Ramadan du natt rekk, waaye jamanu boole mbooloo la, foofu la nitt ñi di gënë jégeñante, di dimbalante, te di fàttaliku ñi amul li ñu lekk walla li ñu naan.
Li tax Ramadan sell lool mooy ne, ci weer wi la Alquraan bu sell bi wàcc ci nittéef yi, jaar ci Sëñ bi, Muhammet (PSL). Loolu tax na jullit yi di góorgóorlu bu baax ci jàng Alquraan, di julli julliy naafila yi ñuy woowe "Taraweeh" ci guddi, te di sàkku ndëgërlu ci seen dund. Ci Gambiya, dangay gis ne jaaka yi dañuy fees dell ak nitt, réer yi (Iftar) dañuy nekk ay jamanu xéewal yu ñu bokk ak njaboot gi, dëkkandoo yi, ak sax gànn yi nekk ci dëkk bi.
Dundug bés bu nekk ci Gambiya day soppi bu baax. Suba téel, laata jant biy fenq, nitt ñi dañuy yéwu ngir "Suhoor" (ndekki li ñuy lekk laata koor gi di tàmbali). Bu loolu paasee, dëkk bi day tàmbali dund ci doxalinu koor, nitt ñi di góorgóorlu ci seen liggéey waaye jikko yu rafet ak muñ mooy nekk seen tànk. Ci Gambiya, koor gi du rekk bañ a lekk ak naan, waaye mooy bañ a wax lu ñaaw, bañ a xuloo, ak sàkku yërmande Yàlla ci dëkk bi yëpp.
Ci armineey 2026, weeru koor bi ñu yàkkaroon ne day tàmbali ci Gambiya ci guddig Talaata, fukk ak juroom ñaari fani weeru Féebiriye. Loolu tax na bésu koor bi jëkk di nekk:
Bés bi mu nekk: Wednesday Taariix bi: February 18, 2026 Des na: 46 fann
Am na lu am solo lool ci wàllu taariixu Ramadan ci Gambiya. Date bi du lu sax (fixed), day soppiku at mu nekk ndaxte armineey Lislaam ci weer bi nekk ci asmaan lay dox. Kon, bés bi mën na soppi am fann walla ñaar, dëppoo ak ni ñu gise weer wi ci Gambiya walla ci réewu Makka. Jullit yi ci Gambiya dañuy déglu bu baax kureelu diine yi (Supreme Islamic Council) ngir ñu xam dëgg-dëgg kañ la weer wi feeñ.
Ci atum 2026, Ramadan day dëppoo ak bésu nattal (Independence Day) bu Gambiya, loolu tax na bés yi di nekk ay bés yu am solo lool ci réew mi, gënë sàkku jàmm ak dëgërlu ci sunu mbir.
Kooru Ramadan am na ay ràbb yu xoot ci biir Lislaam. Naka nu ko Alquraan waxe, koor lu ñu digal jullit yi la ngir ñu am "Taqwa" (ragal Yàlla ak sellal). Ci Gambiya, taariixu Lislaam dafa yàgg lool, te Ramadan mooy bés bi nitt ñi di gënë jége seen cosaan.
Li am solo ci koor gi mooy:
Cosaanu Gambiya ci Ramadan dafa rafet lool. Bu jant bi sootee, nitt ñi dañuy tàmbali seen ndog (Iftar) ak tàndarma (dates) ak ndox, dëppoo ak sunna Sëñ bi (PSL).
Réeru Ndog (Iftar): Ci Gambiya, ndog du lu nitt di lekk kërëm rekk. Mbooloo yi dañuy dajalo ci mbedd yi walla ci jaaka yi. Dangay gis ay taabal yu ñu teg, ay cin yu fees ak lekk yu neex niki "Benachin" (ceebu jën), "Domoda" (mafé), walla "Mbahal". Jigeen ñi dañuy góorgóorlu bu baax ci togg lekk yu am doole ngir góor yi ak doom yi mën a koor.
Julliy Taraweeh: Bu ñu ndogee ba noppi, jaaka yi dañuy bees. Taraweeh mooy julli gu am solo gu ñuy def ci guddi. Xale, mag, ak jigeen dañuy dem jaaka ngir déglu Alquraan bi imaam bi di jàng. Ci dëkk yu mel ni Banjul, Serekunda, walla Brikama, dangay dégg kàdduy Alquraan ci mbedd yëpp.
Guddi yu Mujj yi: Fukk fann yu mujj yi ci Ramadan ñooy yi gënë am solo. Nitt ñi dañuy tawaxu ci jaaka yi (Itikaf), di sàkku Guddi gu Sell gi (Laylat al-Qadr). Ay guddiy ñaan la, ay guddiy jéggalu, ak sàkku barke ci kër yi.
Am na ay jikko yu ñu ràññee waa Gambiya bu weeru koor dikkee:
Hospitality (Teranga): Gambiya dëkkub teranga la. Bu weeru koor dikkee, teranga ji day yokku. Bu la jant soofee ci mbedd, nitt ñi dañu lay invité nga ndog ak ñoom. Nuyuante: Nitt ñi dañuy nuyuante "Ramadan Mubarak" walla "Ramadan Kareem." Ci lakk yu mel ni Mandinka walla Wolof, dangay dégg ñuy wax "Kooru Jam" walla "Al-Baraka." Sadaqa: Bu koor gi di tàmbali, nitt ñi dañuy joxe lool suukër, ceeb, ak diwlin ci ñi gënë néew doole.
Bu fekkenté ne gànn nga ci Gambiya ci biir Ramadan, am na yenn mbir yu am solo yoo war a xam ngir jox nitt ñi worma:
Ci Gambiya, bés bi Ramadan di tàmbali du "Public Holiday" bu officiel ci armineey réew mi (maanaam liggéey bi du dagg). Waaye, ndaxte lu mat 95% ci nitt ñi ay jullit lañu, dëkk bi yëpp day soppi doxalinam.
Liggéey: Bureau yu bari dañuy tàmbali liggéey 8 AM walla 9 AM, waaye ñu uuj ci 3 PM walla 4 PM ngir nitt ñi mën a dem waajal seen ndog. Marché: Marché yi dañuy fees ci suba, waaye ci ngoon, nitt ñi dañuy dem kër yi. Ci guddi nak, marché yi dañuy gënë dund, nitt ñi di jand lekk walla yëre ngir fétu Korité.
Bu Ramadan jeexee, Gambiya day màggal "Eid al-Fitr" walla "Korité." Mooy bés bi ñuy julli Eid ci suba, nitt ñi sol seen yëre yu bees, di tàmbli "Salibo" (dem nuyuante ci kër yi ak sàkku ndëgërlu). Xale yi dañuy bég lool ndaxte dañu leen di jox "Salibo" (xaalis).
Ramadan ci Gambiya du rekk bañ a lekk, waaye mooy bésu xol, bésu jàmm, ak bésu jégeñante ak Yàlla ak sa nitt. Bu nga nekkee Gambiya ci 2026, dinga gis dëgg-dëgg li tax ñuy woowe réew mi "The Smiling Coast."
Ramadan Mubarak ci dëkkub Gambiya!
Common questions about Ramadan Start in Gambia
In 2026, the first day of fasting for Ramadan in The Gambia is expected to be on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. This means there are approximately 46 days remaining until the holy month begins. The observance actually starts at sundown the previous evening, Tuesday, February 17, when the first prayers are held. Please note that the exact start date depends on the local sighting of the crescent moon, as confirmed by Gambian religious authorities, which may cause a slight variation of one day.
No, the start of Ramadan is not officially a national public holiday in The Gambia. However, it is a period of immense significance as over 95% of the population is Muslim. While offices and businesses remain open, many establishments adjust their operating hours to allow employees time for prayer and to prepare for breaking the fast. Interestingly, in 2026, the start of Ramadan coincides closely with Gambia's Independence Day, which may result in unique public scheduling and a very festive national atmosphere.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is considered the holiest month for Gambian Muslims. It commemorates the revelation of the Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad. For the community, it is a time of spiritual discipline, self-reflection, and increased devotion. Beyond the physical act of fasting, it is a period to practice empathy for the less fortunate, strengthen family ties, and seek forgiveness. In The Gambia, this month fosters a deep sense of national unity and shared religious identity among the population.
During Ramadan, Gambian Muslims abstain from all food, drink, smoking, and marital relations from dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib). The day begins with a pre-dawn meal called Suhoor. The fast is traditionally broken at sunset with dates and water, followed by a meal known as Iftar. In The Gambia, Iftar is often a communal affair where families and neighbors gather to share traditional dishes. This daily cycle of sacrifice and gratitude is central to the observance throughout the 29 to 30 days of the month.
Daily life in The Gambia slows down significantly during the daylight hours as people conserve energy while fasting. Streets may be quieter during the afternoon, and some local restaurants may close or offer limited services. However, as sunset approaches, the pace quickens with people rushing home or to mosques. The nights become vibrant with 'Taraweeh' prayers in mosques and lively night markets where people shop for food and clothing. It is a time of great hospitality, and it is common to see communal food sharing in various neighborhoods.
Visitors are encouraged to show respect to those fasting by avoiding eating, drinking, or smoking in public spaces during daylight hours, roughly from 7 AM to 7 PM. While non-Muslims are not expected to fast, discretion is highly appreciated. It is also recommended to dress modestly, especially when near religious sites. If you are invited to an Iftar meal, it is a wonderful gesture of Gambian hospitality to accept. Non-Muslims are generally welcome to visit mosques outside of prayer times, provided they remove their shoes and ensure their head and shoulders are covered.
Charity, or 'Zakat', is a fundamental pillar of Islam that is emphasized during Ramadan in The Gambia. Many people give generously to the poor and provide food for those in need. The last ten nights of the month are particularly sacred, as they include 'Laylat al-Qadr' (the Night of Power), which is believed to be the night the Qur'an was first revealed. During these final nights, Gambians spend extra time in mosques performing 'Itikaf' or late-night prayers, seeking blessings and spiritual breakthroughs.
The end of Ramadan is marked by the sighting of the new moon, leading into the festival of Eid al-Fitr, locally known as 'Koriteh'. This is a major national holiday characterized by congregational prayers in large open fields, followed by grand feasts, family visits, and the giving of gifts or money to children. It is a joyous conclusion to the month of fasting where people dress in their finest traditional 'Grand Boubous' and celebrate the successful completion of their spiritual journey.
Ramadan Start dates in Gambia from 2023 to 2025
| Year | Day of Week | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Saturday | March 1, 2025 |
| 2024 | Monday | March 11, 2024 |
| 2023 | Thursday | March 23, 2023 |
Note: Holiday dates may vary. Some holidays follow lunar calendars or have different observance dates. Purple indicates weekends.