March 19 will be Ramadan for Muslims in southern Russia.

The muftiate reported that the new moon was not observed this evening, so March 19, which was declared a non-working day in several republics of the North Caucasus Federal District, will be the first day of Ramadan.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," this year in Chechnya, as well as Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Karachay-Cherkessia, the first day of Ramadan and fasting was declared February 18. The Muftiate of Dagestan declared February 19 the first day of Ramadan. Due to the end of Ramadan, March 19, 20, and 21 have been declared non-working days in Chechnya. March 19th and 20th will be non-working days in Dagestan, and March 20th has been declared a day off in Kabardino-Balkaria.

"The new moon was not visually observed in Saudi Arabia, so, following the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, we will fast tomorrow, Thursday, March 19, 2026," the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Chechnya announced this evening on its Telegram channel.

The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kabardino-Balkaria posted a similar message. "Due to the fact that the new moon was not recorded, tomorrow, March 19, is the 30th day of the month of Ramadan. Therefore, the bright holiday of Eid al-Fitr (Uraza Bayram) will begin the day after tomorrow, March 20," the republic's Spiritual Directorate of Muslims (SDM) reported today on its Telegram channel.

The Mufti of Karachay-Cherkessia signed a decree declaring March 20 the first day of Eid al-Fitr, according to the text of the document published on the SDM Karachay-Cherkessia Telegram channel.

The Muftiate of Dagestan reported on its Telegram channel that March 19 is the 29th day of Ramadan.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported in early February, social media users pointed out that prices are rising both at markets and stores ahead of Ramadan, and that the food prices published by the official Chechen newspaper are inaccurate. Chechen authorities' reports on price controls have had virtually no impact on the situation in stores and markets. Low-income residents of Grozny, including pensioners and teachers, reported that, amid rising prices, they are struggling to find money for groceries at the start of Ramadan. Among the most expensive items are meat, dairy products, and fruit, and shoppers say prices will rise even further just before Eid al-Fitr. Economists emphasized that such a large-scale price increase is not related to a VAT increase.

The rise in food prices is caused by price increases by suppliers and is forced on retail outlet owners, Dagestani entrepreneurs said after government calls not to raise prices ahead of Eid al-Fitr.