Ramadan timetable 2027 in Sanaa: calculated times
In Sanaa, the Ramadan timetable 2027 consists of the imsak time, the limit for the last meal before dawn, and the iftar time, the moment the fast is broken at sunset. The fast lasts 12 h 57 on the first day and 13 h 17 on the twenty-ninth.
The first day of Ramadan 2027 in Sanaa, expected on Monday 8 February, begins with imsak at 05:08 and ends with iftar at 18:04, a fast of 12 h 57 min. The highland capital's dry, sunny days make the fast fairly mild.
| Day | Imsak | Fajr | Sunrise | Iftar (maghrib) | Isha | Fasting time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 – Mon 8 Feb | 05:08 | 05:18 | 06:31 | 18:04 | 19:13 | 12 h 57 |
| Day 15 – Mon 22 Feb | 05:03 | 05:13 | 06:25 | 18:09 | 19:17 | 13 h 06 |
| Day 29 – Mon 8 Mar | 04:55 | 05:05 | 06:16 | 18:12 | 19:19 | 13 h 17 |
Calculated estimates (18°/17° (MWL)). The IslamicFinder widget above shows today’s times; check with your local mosque.
A capital at 2,200 metres
Sanaa sits on a high plateau in the Yemeni mountains, at more than 2,200 metres above sea level. In February, days are sunny and pleasant, but nights turn cold, so a warm layer is useful for suhoor and late prayers.
Reading the opening times
On day 1, the table above lists fajr at 05:18, sunrise at 06:31 and isha at 19:13. Imsak comes ten minutes before fajr, the traditional signal to stop eating while there is still time to drink a last glass of water.
Twenty extra minutes by the end
At about fifteen degrees north, Sanaa experiences only moderate seasonal change. The fast lasts 13 h 06 min on 22 February, from 05:03 to 18:09, and 13 h 17 min on 8 March, from 04:55 to 18:12.
Iftar moves just eight minutes later across the month, while imsak advances by thirteen minutes. Families in Sanaa therefore notice the earlier dawn far more than any change in the timing of the evening meal.
Calculation method
Times are computed with the Muslim World League parameters of 18 degrees for fajr and 17 for isha. Mosques in Sanaa may follow locally printed calendars with different conventions, and their adhan can therefore differ from these figures by a few minutes.
Announcement and expected dates
The beginning of Ramadan in Yemen is announced by the country's religious authorities after the moon sighting. Given the current situation, announcements can differ between regions, so residents should follow the declaration relayed by their own local mosques.
The month is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027, with tarawih from Sunday evening, or later if the crescent is not sighted. Sanaa would then mark the 27th night on Friday 5 March, with Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday 9 or Wednesday 10 March.
Old City evenings
Within the walls of the Old City of Sanaa, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its tower houses, Ramadan evenings are filled with prayer and visits. The Great Mosque of Sanaa, among the oldest in the Islamic world, is a focus of worship.
Markets in the old quarter, such as the area around Bab al-Yemen, grow busy in the late afternoon as residents buy bread, spices and raisins before sunset. After iftar, men often gather for long conversations that continue until suhoor.
Shafut, saltah and bint al-sahn
Yemeni iftar typically opens with dates, water and coffee, followed by shafut, layers of flatbread soaked in spiced yoghurt and herbs. Saltah, a bubbling meat stew topped with fenugreek froth, is often described as the national dish.
Sambusa pastries, aseed dumplings and bint al-sahn, a layered honey cake served warm, round off many tables. Neighbours commonly exchange plates of food before sunset, and generosity towards the needy is especially visible during the month.
Tips for the fasting month
At high altitude, the body loses water quickly through breathing, even without heat. Spreading water intake over the evening and choosing hearty suhoor dishes such as aseed or ful helps fasting residents stay alert through the day.
- Keep warm clothing for cold pre-dawn suhoor.
- Protect yourself from the strong high-altitude sun.
- Drink enough water at night; the air is very dry.
- Follow your local mosque for the exact start date.
Why is Sanaa's iftar around six o'clock?
Sanaa lies at 44.2 degrees east, almost exactly on the 45th meridian on which Yemen's UTC+3 time is based. Sun time and clock time therefore coincide closely, giving a sunset just after six and a sunrise around half past six.
When does suhoor end on the 29th day?
On Monday 8 March 2027, imsak in Sanaa is at 04:55 and fajr at 05:05, the earliest times of the month. Suhoor should therefore be finished before five o'clock, unless your local mosque announces a slightly different schedule.