Ramadan Information 2026

Dear TC Community: 

Ramadan is a spiritual month for Muslims that is marked by special observations such as fasting and nightly prayer. 

This year in the New York area, many Muslims will begin observing Ramadan from sunset on Tuesday, February 17 and end observing the month at sunset on Thursday, March 19. The 29- or 30-day lunar month is commemorated with an Eid holiday celebration, falling for many on Friday, March 20. Observation of the start and end dates may vary by one day depending on different locations and on different schools of thought within the Islamic tradition. Ramadan moves up about 11 days annually. 

Many practicing Muslims observe fasting and additional nightly prayers during Ramadan. Many Muslims also commemorate certain special nights in this month. Fasting is typically observed by abstaining from food and water from dawn to sunset throughout the month of Ramadan. 

For Administration and Faculty 

• As noted, Ramadan is calculated to begin on Tuesday night, February 17, and end on Thursday, March 19.
• Students observing the fast may ask for a 10-15-minute break during class to pray and eat a snack if their class coincides with sunset. This year, for most Sunni Muslims, sunset during Ramadan will range from 5:35 p.m. at the beginning of month, to 7:06 p.m. at the end of month. Shia Muslims tend to observe their break of the fast about 15 minutes after the given sunset times.
• Due to fasting practices, some Muslim students may request religious accommodations for their academics, including alternative exam times.
• Imam Ebad Rahman (imam@columbia.edu), Columbia’s Muslim chaplain, is available to assist TC faculty who receive requests for accommodations.

For Students  

• Students seeking religious accommodations for their observation of Ramadan should contact their professors as soon as possible. View TC's Religious Observance Policy.
• For questions about Ramadan, please contact Columbia’s Imam Dr. Ebad Rahman at imam@columbia.edu or The Office of Religious Life at religiouslife@columbia.edu. 
• Muslim Life at Columbia University is offering a number of iftar dinners in the Earl Hall Auditorium. Students are also welcome to join the nightly taraweeh prayers in the same location. There will be an Eid al-Fitr prayer and celebration on campus on the morning of Friday, March 20, 2026. 

TC Meditation Space

• TC has Meditation Rooms available for use to reflect, meditate and/or pray. Up to six people may use it simultaneously during normal business hours (7 a.m-11 p.m.) Monday-Friday, without access code. 
• Additional evening prayer space will be available Monday-Friday from 5-7 p.m. for Maghrib Prayer and Iftar.
• If you have questions or comments about the Meditation Rooms, please email tcmeditationroom@tc.columbia.edu.

Best, 

Thomas P. Rock, Ed.D. 
Vice President for Community & Student Affairs
Amended from original Columbia University webpage.