ALBAWABA - Ramadan is considered a very holy month in Islam, where millions of people fast from sunrise to sunset.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and it is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, communal prayer, reflection, and community. Ramadan is important because it is the month in which the Quran is believed to have been revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Countries that have officially announced the start date of Ramadan 2026:
These countries or entities announced, before the official sighting of the new moon, that Feb. 19, the date of the first day of Ramadan 2026:
1. Oman: Officially announced that February 19, 2026, is the first day of Ramadan 1447 AH, according to astronomical calculations, before the official sighting of the new moon.
2. Turkey: Also announced that February 19, 2026, will be the first day of Ramadan.
A Palestinian youth hangs decorative lights at a shop in east Jerusalem on February 16, 2026, as Muslims prepare for the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP
3. Singapore: Confirmed that February 19, 2026, is the first day.
4. France: Announced the start of Ramadan on approximately the same date.
5. Australia: Also announced that the first day of fasting will be February 19, 2026.
6. Tajikistan: Officially confirmed that Ramadan will begin on February 19, 2026.
Dr. Taha Rabah, head of the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics in Egypt, revealed that the first day of the month of Rajab 1447 AH, astronomically speaking, will be Sunday, December 21, 2025.
He added that the crescent of the month of Rajab will be born immediately after the conjunction at 3:45 a.m. Cairo local time on Saturday, December 20, 2025 AD (the day of sighting).
Ramadan 2026. (Shutterstock)
When is Ramadan 2026?
International Astronomy Center said that most countries will be looking for the crescent moon of Ramadan on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. However, seeing the crescent moon on Tuesday is either impossible or not possible from all regions of the Arab and Islamic world, whether with the naked eye, using a telescope, or even using high-powered astronomical imaging technology.
Accordingly, for countries that consider a correct sighting of the crescent moon a condition for the start of the Islamic month, it is expected that Wednesday will be the completion of the month of Sha’ban, and Thursday, February 19, will be the first day of the blessed month of Ramadan.
According to previous astronomical calculations in October of last year in the UAE, the date of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH, corresponding to 2026 AD, will be Thursday, February 19, 2026.
However, the official confirmation of the date is awaited through the legitimate sighting of the crescent moon, which usually takes place on the twenty-ninth day of Sha’ban of the year 1447 AH in every Islamic country.
