SOLAR AND LUNAR CALENDAR — THE DIFFERENCE For those who get confused between the solar and lunar calendars: the Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, not the solar calendar that we follow in CIS countries. Therefore, its dates shift every year relative to the calendar we are used to, and the beginning and end of the day are also different. ➡️ Solar day: fixed — exactly 24 hours, starting at 00:00 (midnight). ➡️ Lunar day: begins after sunset (at the time of the evening prayer). Its timing shifts. It is according to these lunar days that the beginning and end of Ramadan are determined. That means: 🟢 Today, February 17 (the night from Tuesday to Wednesday) is the first night of Ramadan. Therefore, tonight is the first Tarawih prayer. We prepare, and whoever is able goes to the mosque. 🟢 Tomorrow, February 18 (Wednesday), we observe the first fast — meaning that tonight we wake up for suhoor (the pre-dawn meal).