Overview
- Moon‑sighting decisions set different first fasting days, with the Gulf starting on Feb. 18 and India and several South Asian countries beginning on Feb. 19.
- Pakistan’s government launched a Ramadan Package to send assistance via digital wallets, while Punjab’s Ramazan Guardian Card is disbursing Rs10,000 to 4 million families alongside communal Sehri/Iftar tables and bazaars.
- Gaza entered the month under a fragile ceasefire facing severe shortages and displacement, with Gaza’s Health Ministry reporting more than 72,000 deaths and widespread destruction.
- Humanitarian operations scaled up in Gaza, with the World Food Programme providing 360,000 hot meals daily and payments to over 90,000 households, and World Central Kitchen delivering about 1 million hot meals a day and 100,000 Ramadan food kits.
- Community observance expanded globally, from city‑specific Sehri/Iftar timetables in India to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hosting iftars for working Muslims and Bradford groups organizing inclusive communal meals.