South Sudan • February 18, 2026 • Wednesday
Also known as: Ramadan Start
Ramadhani ni mwezi mtukufu na wa tisa katika kalenda ya Kiislamu ya Hijri, na ni kipindi muhimu sana cha kiroho kwa jamii ya Waislamu nchini Sudan Kusini. Ingawa Sudan Kusini ni nchi yenye mchanganyiko mkubwa wa kidini ambapo Ukristo na imani za asili ndizo zenye wafuasi wengi zaidi, idadi ya Waislamu nchini humo inasherehekea mwezi huu kwa unyenyekevu, nidhamu, na umoja wa kijamii. Mwanzo wa Ramadhani si tukio la kijamii tu, bali ni safari ya kiroho inayolenga kumkaribisha muumini kwa Mwenyezi Mungu kupitia kufunga, kusali, na kutoa sadaka.
Kiini cha Ramadhani nchini Sudan Kusini kimejikita katika dhana ya "Sawm" (funga). Kuanzia macheo hadi kuzama kwa jua, Waislamu wanajizuia kula chakula, kunywa maji, kuvuta sigara, na kujihusisha na mahusiano ya kimwili. Hata hivyo, funga hii inaenda mbali zaidi ya kuzuia mahitaji ya mwili; ni wakati wa kusafisha nafsi, kufanya toba, na kufikiria juu ya wale wasio na uwezo. Katika miji kama Juba, Wau, na Malakal, mazingira yanabadilika kuanzia siku ya kwanza ya mwezi huu, huku misikiti ikijaa waumini na hali ya utulivu ikitawala katika maeneo ya makazi ya Waislamu.
Kinachofanya mwanzo wa Ramadhani nchini Sudan Kusini kuwa wa kipekee ni jinsi jamii inavyoshirikiana licha ya changamoto za kiuchumi na kijamii. Ni wakati ambapo tofauti za kikabila zinawekwa kando na watu wanakusanyika kama umma mmoja. Kwa raia wa Sudan Kusini, Ramadhani ni ukumbusho wa uvumilivu na amani, maadili ambayo ni muhimu sana kwa ukuaji wa taifa hili changa zaidi duniani.
Mwaka huu, mwanzo wa mwezi mtukufu wa Ramadhani unatarajiwa kuwa tukio muhimu sana kwa maelfu ya waumini kote nchini. Kulingana na makadirio ya sasa ya angani na muonekano wa mwezi nchini Sudan Kusini:
Siku: Wednesday Tarehe: February 18, 2026 Muda uliobaki: Kuna siku 46 zilizosalia hadi kuanza kwa funga.
Ni muhimu kuelewa kuwa tarehe ya Ramadhani ni badilifu (variable). Tofauti na kalenda ya Gregorian ambayo inategemea jua, kalenda ya Kiislamu inategemea mzunguko wa mwezi. Kwa sababu hiyo, mwezi wa Ramadhani husogea mbele kwa takriban siku 10 hadi 11 kila mwaka. Tarehe rasmi nchini Sudan Kusini inategemea kuonekana kwa mwezi mwandamo (hilal). Ikiwa mwezi utaonekana usiku wa kuamkia tarehe hiyo, basi funga huanza rasmi. Mara nyingi, mamlaka za Kiislamu nchini Sudan Kusini hufuata tangazo rasmi kutoka kwa Baraza la Kiislamu la Sudan Kusini au kuoanisha na mataifa jirani na Saudi Arabia ili kuhakikisha umoja katika kuanza ibada hii.
Ramadhani inaadhimisha mwezi ambao Kurani Tukufu iliteremshwa kwa mara ya kwanza kwa Mtume Muhammad (SAW) kupitia Malaika Jibril katika pango la Hira. Tukio hili linajulikana kama "Laylat al-Qadr" (Usiku wa Cheo au Nguvu), ambao unapatikana katika kumi la mwisho la mwezi huu. Kwa Waislamu nchini Sudan Kusini, historia hii ni msingi wa imani yao na inawapa motisha ya kusoma Kurani kwa ukamilifu wakati wa mwezi huu.
Nchini Sudan Kusini, Uislamu una mizizi ya kihistoria iliyoanza karne nyingi zilizopita kupitia njia za biashara na mwingiliano na majirani wa kaskazini. Ingawa nchi ilipitia vipindi virefu vya migogoro, imani ya Kiislamu imebaki kuwa sehemu muhimu ya utambulisho wa makundi mengi, hasa katika maeneo ya mipakani na miji mikuu. Kuanza kwa Ramadhani kunachukuliwa kama fursa ya kuhuisha historia hiyo ya ustahimilivu na imani.
Ingawa misingi ya Ramadhani ni ile ile duniani kote, kuna vionjo vya kipekee nchini Sudan Kusini vinavyopamba mwezi huu:
Mwanzo wa Ramadhani unaleta mabadiliko ya kitabia kwa jamii nzima. Hapa kuna baadhi ya desturi muhimu:
Ikiwa wewe ni mgeni au mfanyakazi wa kigeni nchini Sudan Kusini wakati wa mwanzo wa Ramadhani tarehe February 18, 2026, ni muhimu kuzingatia mambo yafuatayo ili kuonyesha heshima na kuishi vizuri na wenyeji:
Kula na Kunywa Hadharani: Ingawa Sudan Kusini haina sheria kali zinazokataza wasio Waislamu kula mchana, ni kitendo cha heshima kuepuka kula, kunywa maji, au kuvuta sigara hadharani mbele ya watu wanaofunga. Hii inaonyesha uungwana na kutambua juhudi zao za kiroho. Mavazi: Inashauriwa kuvaa kwa staha (modest clothing), hasa unapotembelea maeneo yenye idadi kubwa ya Waislamu au karibu na misikiti. Mavazi yanayofunika mabega na magoti yanapendekezwa. Mialiko ya Futari: Ikiwa utaalikwa kwa chakula cha futari (Iftar), ni heshima kubwa kukubali. Ni nafasi nzuri ya kujifunza utamaduni wa Sudan Kusini na kufurahia vyakula vya kienyeji. Unaweza kupeleka zawadi ndogo kama tende au matunda. Hali ya Hewa: Mwezi Februari nchini Sudan Kusini huwa na joto kali, likiwa kati ya nyuzi joto 25°C hadi 35°C. Kwa waumini wanaofunga, joto hili ni changamoto kubwa, hivyo uelewa wako kuhusu kasi ndogo ya kazi au uchovu wakati wa mchana unathaminiwa sana.
Hili ni swali muhimu kwa wafanyabiashara na waajiri nchini Sudan Kusini.
Mwanzo wa Ramadhani (Ramadan Start) si siku ya mapumziko ya umma (Public Holiday) nchini Sudan Kusini.
Shughuli za Kiserikali na Biashara: Ofisi za serikali, benki, na maduka ya biashara yanabaki wazi na kufuata masaa ya kawaida ya kazi. Marekebisho ya Masaa ya Kazi: Ingawa si sheria, baadhi ya waajiri wa sekta binafsi au mashirika ya kimataifa yanaweza kuruhusu wafanyakazi wao Waislamu kuondoka mapema kidogo ili wakajiandae kwa ajili ya kufuturu nyumbani na familia zao. Eid al-Fitr: Ni muhimu kutofautisha mwanzo wa Ramadhani na mwisho wake. Sherehe za Eid al-Fitr (zinazotarajiwa kuwa mnamo Machi 20, 2026) ndizo zinazotambulika kama sikukuu ya kitaifa na siku ya mapumziko nchini Sudan Kusini.
Katika miji kama Juba, utaona kuwa maisha yanaendelea kama kawaida, lakini kuna mabadiliko ya mdundo wa mji wakati wa jioni. Migahawa mingi inayomilikiwa na Waislamu inaweza kufungwa mchana na kufunguliwa kwa kishindo wakati wa maghrib.
Ingawa Ramadhani inazingatiwa nchi nzima, baadhi ya maeneo yana shamrashamra zaidi:
Mwanzo wa Ramadhani nchini Sudan Kusini tarehe February 18, 2026 ni zaidi ya tarehe tu kwenye kalenda; ni alama ya kuanza kwa mwezi wa neema, uvumilivu, na kutafakari. Kwa Waislamu wa Sudan Kusini, ni wakati wa kuimarisha imani yao na kuombea amani na utulivu katika nchi yao. Kwa wasio Waislamu, ni fursa ya kushuhudia na kuheshimu nidhamu ya hali ya juu ya majirani na marafiki zao.
Tunapoelekea mwaka 2026, maandalizi tayari yameanza mioyoni mwa watu. Ikiwa uko nchini Sudan Kusini wakati huu, utajionea jinsi mwezi huu unavyoleta hali ya kipekee ya kiroho inayovuka mipaka ya kidini na kuunganisha watu katika utu na ukarimu. Ramadhani Kareem kwa wote watakaopokea mwezi huu mtukufu nchini Sudan Kusini!
Common questions about Ramadan Start in South Sudan
In South Sudan, the holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. As of today, there are 46 days remaining until the start of the fast. Please note that the exact date depends on the traditional sighting of the crescent moon, which may cause the date to shift by one day. Local Islamic authorities or astronomical calculations specific to regions like Juba and Pajok will provide the final confirmation as the date approaches.
No, the start of Ramadan is not a public holiday in South Sudan. It is considered a religious observance. While the Muslim community begins their month-long fast, government offices, schools, and private businesses maintain their normal operating hours. However, the end of the fasting month, known as Eid al-Fitr, which is expected around March 20, 2026, is officially recognized as a public holiday throughout the country.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar and is a deeply spiritual time for the Muslim minority in South Sudan. It commemorates the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad. During this month, Muslims focus on 'sawm' (fasting), which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is a period dedicated to self-reflection, increased prayer, reading the Quran, and practicing self-discipline. The fast serves as a reminder of the plight of the less fortunate, encouraging empathy and spiritual growth.
The daily routine begins with 'suhoor,' a pre-dawn meal consumed before the first prayer (Fajr), which occurs around 4:52 AM in February. From dawn until sunset, Muslims abstain from all food, drink, smoking, and marital relations. The fast is broken at sunset, signaled by the Maghrib prayer around 6:08 PM, with a meal called 'iftar.' This often starts with dates and water, followed by shared family meals including stews, grains, and traditional dishes. Community bonds are strengthened through these evening gatherings and special 'taraweeh' prayers at local mosques.
Beyond fasting, Ramadan in South Sudan emphasizes 'zakat' (charity) and community support. Many families host iftars for neighbors and the poor. A significant period is the last ten nights of the month, which include 'Laylat al-Qadr' (the Night of Power). This is considered the holiest night of the year, and many believers spend these nights in intensified prayer and devotion. While South Sudan has a Christian majority, the Muslim community observes these traditions with quiet devotion, focusing on family unity and religious piety.
Visitors should be mindful and respectful of those fasting. While non-Muslims are not required to fast, it is polite to avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public view during daylight hours near Muslim colleagues or in predominantly Muslim neighborhoods. Modest dress is encouraged, especially when near mosques or religious gatherings. Being aware of changed energy levels during the day and the festive atmosphere in the evenings will help visitors navigate the month smoothly. Most businesses operate normally, but some Muslim-owned shops may adjust their hours.
During February and March 2026, South Sudan experiences warm weather, with temperatures typically ranging between 25°C and 35°C (77°F to 95°F). This heat can make the daylight fast challenging, so those fasting often prioritize rest during the hottest parts of the day. The warm evenings are well-suited for outdoor community iftars and late-night prayers at the mosque, which are central to the social fabric of the month.
Fasting times are determined by the position of the sun. In South Sudan, Muslims rely on local mosques or mobile prayer applications to get precise timings for 'suhoor' and 'iftar.' Because the country covers a wide area, there may be slight differences in minutes between cities like Juba, Wau, and Malakal. The official start is usually announced following the sighting of the moon by local religious leaders, often influenced by announcements from regional Islamic centers or Saudi Arabia.
Ramadan Start dates in South Sudan from 2024 to 2025
| Year | Day of Week | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Saturday | March 1, 2025 |
| 2024 | Monday | March 11, 2024 |
Note: Holiday dates may vary. Some holidays follow lunar calendars or have different observance dates. Purple indicates weekends.