Lilongwe: Ramadan timetable 2027, Imsak and Iftar times

Fourteen hours at the start

At about 14 degrees south, Lilongwe begins Ramadan near the end of its summer, when days are still long. The table above shows 14 h 02 of fasting on day 1, 13 h 50 on day 15 and 13 h 38 on day 29.

Over the month, imsak slips from 04:15 to 04:26 and iftar moves earlier, from 18:18 to 18:04. The combined effect is a fast twenty-four minutes shorter by Monday 8 March, a welcome easing during the final ten nights.

The first day hour by hour

On Monday 8 February, imsak is at 04:15, fajr at 04:25 and sunrise at 05:40. Maghrib arrives at 18:18 and isha at 19:28, so tarawih in the capital can begin a little after half past seven in the evening.

Central Africa Time and the setting sun

Malawi follows Central Africa Time, two hours ahead of UTC, without daylight saving. Lilongwe lies at about 33.8 degrees east, a little east of the 30th meridian, so the sun rises and sets relatively early by the clock all year round.

Calculation method and local calendars

These times rely on the Muslim World League convention of 18 degrees for fajr and 17 degrees for isha. Mosques in Lilongwe may publish their own calendars with slightly different minutes, and those local timetables should guide daily practice.

The start of the month is announced by Malawi's Muslim religious bodies after the crescent has been sighted or reported. Announcements can occasionally differ between organisations, so confirming the date with your own mosque on Sunday evening is wise.

What to expect in 2027

Forecasts place the first tarawih on the night of Sunday 7 February and the first day of fasting on Monday 8 February 2027. If the new moon cannot be seen on Sunday evening, Ramadan would begin on Tuesday 9 February instead.

Laylat al-Qadr, observed especially on the 27th night, is expected to begin at sunset on Friday 5 March. Eid al-Fitr would then be marked on Tuesday 9 March, or on Wednesday 10 March if the month runs to thirty days.

Rainy season in the capital

February and March fall within Malawi's rainy season, with heavy afternoon showers, green landscapes and warm temperatures in the high twenties. At about 1,050 metres of altitude, Lilongwe stays more temperate than the lakeshore, where heat and humidity are greater.

Breaking the fast in Malawi

Iftar in Malawian Muslim homes often starts with dates or fruit, tea and porridge, followed by rice or nsima, the maize staple eaten across the country, served with relishes of beans, vegetables, fish or meat.

Muslim communities are strongest in the southern region and along Lake Malawi, but Lilongwe has several mosques serving residents, traders and families of South Asian origin. Shared iftars and food distributions for needy households are common throughout the month.

Tips for the rainy month

Long fasts in warm, humid weather call for careful preparation, especially for those who work outdoors or travel by minibus. A few habits can make Ramadan in Lilongwe more comfortable from the first week until Eid.

• Eat a balanced suhoor with slow-release foods before 04:15.
• Keep an umbrella handy for afternoon storms.
• Plan journeys so you are home before maghrib.
• Drink steadily from iftar until suhoor.

Does the fast get shorter or longer?

Shorter. Because Malawi is south of the equator, its days are contracting as the March equinox approaches. The table shows a reduction from 14 h 02 on the first day to 13 h 38 on the twenty-ninth, a difference of twenty-four minutes.

What time is iftar in mid-month?

On Monday 22 February, the fifteenth day, iftar in Lilongwe is at 18:12, after an imsak at 04:22. That fast lasts 13 h 50, and isha follows at 19:20, according to the computed times shown above.

Is Eid al-Fitr a public holiday in Malawi?

Yes, Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday in Malawi, and its exact date is confirmed once the moon has been sighted. Families attend the morning prayer, share festive meals and visit relatives, and the holiday moves if Ramadan lasts thirty days.