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Muslims across several European countries welcomed the start of Ramadan on the evening of Feb. 19, 2026, by turning out in large numbers for the first Tarawih prayers, filling mosques and keeping long-established local traditions alive from Scandinavia to the Balkans.
Tarawih refers to special nightly prayers performed during Ramadan after the obligatory Isha (night) prayer, and they are widely observed as a key part of the month’s religious routine.
In Sweden, worshippers gathered at mosques nationwide for the first Tarawih prayers of the holy month.
At the Fittja Ulu Mosque in Stockholm, congregants held the prayers and offered supplications that included hopes for peace and stability in conflict-affected regions and across the world.
In Austria, mosques in Vienna likewise saw strong attendance. At the ATIB Central Mosque, linked to the Turkish-Islamic Union for Cultural and Social Cooperation in Austria (ATIB), a sermon focused on the spiritual meaning of Ramadan, while worshippers of different age groups stood side by side for the first night of prayers and later offered supplications.
In Western Thrace, the arrival of Ramadan was marked with a drumming tradition that has been carried on for centuries. In the village of Sahin near Xanthi, children wearing traditional Ottoman-era clothing walked through the streets beating drums to announce the start of the month, setting a festive tone in the community.
Prayers were held at the village mosque, alongside wishes that Ramadan would bring peace and prosperity to the Islamic world and the Muslim Turkish minority in the region.
In North Macedonia’s capital, Skopje, thousands gathered at the Skopje Mosque as it opened its doors for the first Tarawih prayer. Despite cold conditions, worshippers packed the mosque and formed prayer rows outside.
In Albania’s capital, Tirana, Muslims performed the first Tarawih at the Namazgah Mosque, described as the largest mosque in the Balkans, while other mosques across the country also reported high attendance.
Kosovo also saw congregations gather for the opening-night prayers, including at the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Mosque in Pristina and the Sinan Pasha Mosque in Prizren.
In Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, worshippers met at the Banya Bashi Mosque, the city’s only mosque, for the first Tarawih of Ramadan.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital, Sarajevo, mosques across the city filled up, with particularly high attendance reported at the historic Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque.
In Serbia, Tarawih prayers were held at Belgrade’s Bayrakli Mosque and in mosques across the Bosniak-majority Sandzak region.
Muslims in Montenegro and Croatia also gathered in mosques to mark the first night of Ramadan, reflecting a shared spiritual atmosphere as the month began.
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