With the dawn of the second day of Ramadan, Thursday, Muslims in Saudi Arabia renewed their anticipation to observe the fast, the fourth pillar of Islam. On this occasion, the National Center for Meteorology announced the precise times for the start and end of the fast for various cities and regions across the Kingdom, to serve as a guide for Muslims on their spiritual day.
The importance of the month of Ramadan in Islam
The month of Ramadan holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims worldwide. It is the month of fasting, prayer, and reciting the Quran. God ordained fasting during this month in the second year of the Hijra, the same month in which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Fasting represents an opportunity to draw closer to God by abstaining from food, drink, and worldly desires from dawn (Imsak) until sunset (Iftar), thus fostering values of patience, piety, and empathy for the poor and needy.
Imsak and Iftar times for Thursday, 2nd of Ramadan
Prayer and fasting times vary slightly between cities in the Kingdom due to its vast geographical area. Below is a detailed table of Imsak (dawn) and Iftar (sunset) times for the second day of Ramadan in major Saudi cities:
- Riyadh: Imsak 5:06 AM – Iftar 5:51 PM
- Mecca: Imsak 5:32 AM – Iftar 6:21 PM
- Madinah: Imsak 5:34 AM – Iftar 6:19 PM
- Jeddah: Imsak 5:35 AM – Iftar 6:23 PM
- Dammam: Imsak 4:53 AM – Iftar 5:35 PM
- Abha: Imsak 5:20 am – Iftar 6:13 pm
- Tabuk: Imsak 5:47 AM – Iftar 6:27 PM
- Buraidah: Imsak 5:17 AM – Iftar 6:00 PM
- Hail: Imsak 5:27 AM – Iftar 6:08 PM
- Al-Baha: Imsak 5:25 AM – Iftar 6:16 PM
- Arar: Imsak 5:30 AM – Iftar 6:07 PM
- Sakaka: Imsak 5:33 AM – Iftar 6:11 PM
- Jazan: Imsak 5:19 AM – Iftar 6:14 PM
- Najran: Imsak 5:13 AM – Iftar 6:07 PM
The Ramadan atmosphere in the Kingdom and its impact
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is imbued with a special spiritual atmosphere during Ramadan, as cities transform into centers of worship and religious and social activity. Mosques, particularly the Two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina, are filled with worshippers and pilgrims from within the Kingdom and abroad performing Taraweeh and Qiyam prayers. Social solidarity is also evident through communal Iftar meals held in neighborhoods and mosques, reflecting a spirit of brotherhood and cooperation. The precise determination of fasting times by official bodies such as the National Center of Meteorology ensures the uniformity of religious observances and facilitates the organization of daily life during this holy month, underscoring the great importance the state places on making religious observances easy for citizens and residents.
