Eritrea: Ramadan timetable 2027, Imsak and Iftar times

A highland capital close to the tropics

Asmara sits on the Eritrean plateau at roughly 15 degrees north, so its days vary modestly. The fast grows from 12 h 57 min on day one to 13 h 06 min at mid-month and 13 h 17 min by day 29.

Sunset moves later by just eight minutes, from 18:25 to 18:33, while imsak advances from 05:29 to 05:16. Most of the extra fasting time therefore comes from earlier mornings rather than from a later evening meal.

Calculation angles and the imsak buffer

These Asmara times rely on the Muslim World League method, placing the sun 18 degrees below the horizon at fajr and 17 degrees at isha. Imsak is listed ten minutes before fajr, at 05:29 against 05:39 on the opening day.

Local mosque timetables in Eritrea may use slightly different conventions or round times, so a few minutes of difference with the table above is expected. The calendar announced in the local mosque remains the practical reference for each community.

Altitude, cool nights and dry days

At well over two thousand metres, Asmara enjoys a mild climate, and February and March belong to the dry season. Days are pleasant and sunny, while nights and early mornings can feel cool when families rise for suhoor.

Conditions differ sharply on the Red Sea coast around Massawa, where the lowlands are far hotter and more humid. Only Asmara appears on the site, so coastal residents should rely on local calendars, which may differ by several minutes.

Expected dates of Ramadan 1448 in Eritrea

The religious authorities of the country confirm the beginning of the month after the moon is sighted. On current expectations the first day falls on Monday 8 February 2027, preceded by tarawih on the evening of Sunday 7 February.

If the crescent is not seen, the start moves to Tuesday 9 February. Laylat al-Qadr is anticipated on the night beginning Friday 5 March, and Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday 9 March, unless thirty days push it to Wednesday 10 March.

Breaking the fast in Eritrean homes

Eritrean cuisine centres on injera, the spongy flatbread made from teff, served with spiced stews such as tsebhi. During Ramadan, the evening often opens with dates and water or sweet tea before the main meal is shared around one platter.

Coffee holds a special place in Eritrean hospitality, and the coffee ceremony, with beans roasted and brewed in a clay pot, frequently follows the evening meal when neighbours and relatives visit after the night prayer.

Advice for the fasting month in Asmara

• Use layers for chilly pre-dawn suhoor on the plateau
• Drink enough despite the cool air, since highland air is dry
• Rest in the early afternoon when possible
• Follow mosque announcements for the start and end of the month

Visitors adjusting to the altitude should be especially careful with hydration. Thin, dry air increases water loss without obvious sweating, so spreading several glasses of water between iftar at about 18:25 and imsak before 05:30 helps.

How many hours is the first fast in Asmara?

According to the computed times, the first day of Ramadan 2027 in Asmara lasts 12 h 57 min, from imsak at 05:29 to sunset at 18:25. On the last expected day it reaches 13 h 17 min.

When are isha and tarawih in Asmara?

Isha falls at 19:34 on the first day, 19:38 at mid-month and 19:40 on day 29. Tarawih follows the isha prayer, so congregations in Asmara usually gather a little after these times, depending on each mosque.

Eid in the Eritrean capital

Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday in Eritrea, and Asmara's Muslims gather early for the festive prayer before visiting family. New clothes, sweets and shared meals of injera and stews mark the day, with coffee served to every guest.

The holiday also strengthens ties between neighbours of different faiths, a feature of daily life in Asmara. Expected on Tuesday 9 March 2027, the festival could shift to the following day if the month runs to thirty days.