Awal Ramadan
Thursday, February 19, 2026
The first day of Ramadan, the “beginning” or “awal” of Ramadan, is a public holiday in the Malaysian states of Johor, Malacca, and Kedah. In 2027, Awal Ramadan falls on Monday 8 February. The holiday will be on Friday 28 January in 2028. On Awal Muharram, Muslims in Malaysia attend mosque and start a month of fasting between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is considered the holiest of Islamic months as the Koran first began to be revealed to Mohammad during this month. Ramadan’s date will change by about 11 days per year on the Gregorian Calendar since the Islamic Calendar is lunar-based. And it officially begins when a moon-sighting committee declares the new moon and new month. Awal Ramadan is the start of very intense time for Malaysian Muslims, but many look forward to it more than any other time of year.
History
The first day of Ramadan, the “beginning” or “awal” of Ramadan, is a public holiday in the Malaysian states of Johor, Malacca, and Kedah. Ramadan is considered the holiest of Islamic months as the Koran first began to be revealed to Mohammad during this month. Ramadan’s date will change by about 11 days per year on the Gregorian Calendar since the Islamic Calendar is lunar-based. Awal Ramadan is the start of very intense time for Malaysian Muslims, but many look forward to it more than any other
How It's Celebrated
The first day of Ramadan, the “beginning” or “awal” of Ramadan, is a public holiday in the Malaysian states of Johor, Malacca, and Kedah. The holiday will be on Friday 28 January in 2028