Imsak and Iftar times for Saturday, 18 Ramadan 1447 in Saudi Arabia

As the first half of the holy month draws to a close and we enter its final days, those fasting in Saudi Arabia are eagerly awaiting the times for Imsak (the start of the fast) and Iftar (the breaking of the fast) for Saturday, the 18th of Ramadan 1447 AH, in order to adjust their daily schedules and spiritual practices. The National Center for Meteorology and other relevant authorities have announced the precise prayer times for various regions of the Kingdom to ensure that religious observances are performed at their prescribed times.

The spirituality of the second third and the precision of astronomical timing

The 18th day of Ramadan falls within the middle ten days, known as the days of forgiveness, during which Muslims strive to increase their acts of worship. Knowing the precise timing is of paramount importance in the Kingdom, where Saudi Arabia relies on the most accurate astronomical calculations and modern technologies, in conjunction with the sighting of the new moon, to determine prayer times. This blend of tradition and technological advancement ensures that millions of citizens and residents, as well as pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques, have the utmost precision in determining the moment to begin fasting and the moment to break their fast at sunset.

Historically, the reliance was entirely on hearing the muezzin’s call to prayer or seeing the white thread from the black, but with the expansion of cities and the spread of distances, official timetables have become the primary reference that unites the moments of Iftar and Suhoor, thus enhancing the feeling of Islamic unity and social cohesion at the same time.

The impact of fasting and breaking the fast times on daily life

impacts The timing of the pre-dawn meal (suhoor) and the breaking of the fast ( the rhythm of life in Saudi cities. As the Maghrib prayer approaches, the streets bustle with activity as employees and those fasting return home to gather around the iftar table, a deeply rooted social custom that strengthens family bonds. Conversely, the time of the pre-dawn meal and the Fajr prayer marks the beginning of a new spiritual day, with mosques filling with worshippers in a magnificent display of faith.

These times also play a vital role in regulating commercial activities and cultural events that take place during Ramadan nights, as markets and restaurants adjust their working hours based on these times to meet the needs of those fasting during Iftar and Suhoor.

Prayer times schedule in the cities of the Kingdom

According to the official weather forecast and calendar, the Fajr (dawn) prayer in Dammam today, Saturday, the 18th of Ramadan, will be at 4:38 AM, while the Maghrib (sunset) prayer will be at 5:45 PM. Below is a table showing prayer times in major cities across the Kingdom: