Islamic world sights crescent moon for start of Ramadan 1447 AH (2026)

A top Emirati official said Sunday Iran's Gulf attacks had isolated the country, warning Tehran not to target its neighbours, as its retaliatory campaign in the region entered its second day.

"The Iranian aggression against the Gulf states was a miscalculation and it isolated Iran at a critical juncture. Your war is not with your neighbours," said presidential adviser Anwar Gargash.

"Return to reason, to your surroundings, and deal with your neighbours rationally and responsibly before the circle of isolation and escalation widens."

On Wednesday evening, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in Pakistan announced that the crescent moon for Ramadan has been sighted according to Islamic law.

As a result, Thursday will be the first day of the holy month across the country, joining other nations that begin fasting on the same day.

Around 200 testimonies confirm the sighting

The committee’s chairman, Abdul Khabeer Azad, said at a meeting in Peshawar that about 200 testimonies confirming the moon sighting were received from various regions.

These reports came from multiple cities and provinces, including Quetta, Islamabad, Waziristan, Dir, Karachi, Bunir, Mardan, and Tando Allahyar, which finalized the decision for the start of Ramadan.

On Wednesday evening, the Kingdom of Morocco announced that Thursday will be the first day of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH.

The announcement follows confirmation from the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs that the crescent moon for Ramadan was successfully sighted according to Islamic law, establishing Thursday as the start of the holy month in Morocco.

The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) and the Fiji Muslim League announced on Wednesday evening, February 18, that the crescent moon for the holy month of Ramadan could not be sighted.

As a result, Thursday will complete the month of Sha’ban, making Friday, February 20, 2026, the first day of Ramadan in both countries.

Astronomical calculations align with observations

The announcements are fully in line with scientific astronomical data, which indicate that it is impossible to sight the crescent moon in New Zealand and Fiji this evening, whether with the naked eye or through a telescope.

The decision reflects the authorities’ commitment to the principle of local moon sighting.

Countries set to sight the Ramadan crescent on Wednesday, likely declaring Thursday, February 19, as the first day of Ramadan:

• Bangladesh
• India
• Pakistan
• Iran
• Morocco
• Mauritania

In Iraq, the Sunni Endowment Office announced Wednesday as the first day of Ramadan, while the office of the Grand Mufti declared Thursday as the start of the month.

Footage of Saudi astronomers gathering in the central town of Hawtat Sudayr to observe the crescent moon to mark the start date of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia announced that Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, will mark the first day of Ramadan after the crescent moon was sighted.

In Iraq, Sunni religious authorities announced that Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, will mark the first day of Ramadan following the sighting of the crescent moon.

Shia authorities, however, declared that Ramadan will begin on Thursday, Feb. 19, after the moon was not confirmed in their observances.

Authorities in Yemen announced that Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, will mark the first day of Ramadan following the sighting of the crescent moon.

Authorities in Libya and Egypt announced that Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, will mark the first day of Ramadan after the crescent moon was not sighted.

Authorities in Lebanon announced that Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, will mark the start of Ramadan following the sighting of the crescent moon.

Authorities in Syria announced that Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, will mark the start of Ramadan after the crescent moon was not sighted.

Jordan's Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs announced that Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, will mark the beginning of Ramadan following the sighting of the crescent moon.

Authorities in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates confirmed that Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, will mark the start of Ramadan following the sighting of the crescent moon.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia announced that Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, will mark the first day of Ramadan after the crescent moon was sighted.

The announcement sets the start of fasting for Muslim communities across the Kingdom, as mosques and Islamic centers prepare for the holy month.

The Crescent Moon Sighting Committee in Japan announced that Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, will mark the first day of Ramadan after the crescent moon was not sighted on Tuesday evening.

In a statement, the committee said Wednesday will complete the month of Shaaban, paving the way for the holy month to begin the following day.

The announcement sets the official start of fasting for Muslim communities across Japan, as mosques and Islamic centers finalize preparations for Ramadan.

Authorities in Türkiye and Indonesia officially announced that Thursday, Feb. 19, will mark the first day of the holy month of Ramadan after the crescent moon was not sighted.

Religious bodies in both countries confirmed that the absence of a verified moon sighting means the current lunar month will complete 30 days, with Ramadan beginning the following day.

Malaysia officially announces that Thursday, February 19, will be the first day of Ramadan, as the crescent moon has not been sighted.

The Mufti of Singapore announces that Thursday, February 19, will be the first day of Ramadan, as the crescent moon has not been sighted.

Tamir Observatory in Saudi Arabia welcomes moon sighting teams for the first time after official inauguration
The crescent observatory in Tamir received the teams following its inauguration by Riyadh Mayor Prince Dr. Faisal bin Ayaf, with two additional sites ready in Shaqra and Al-Hariq.

Muslims worldwide are preparing to observe the crescent of Ramadan 1447 AH, corresponding to the 29th day of Sha’ban in most countries.

In an unusual astronomical adjustment, calculations indicate that the standard method of using the “upper edge” of the moon to determine moonset must be changed this year. This is because the moon will set nearly simultaneously with the sun in several cities worldwide.

Astronomers recommend calculating the moonset based on the “lower edge” of the lunar disc, as the crescent, if visible, will appear at the lower edge.

This observation applies to countries where Tuesday, February 17, corresponds to the twenty-ninth of Sha’ban.

Countries excluded from observing the crescent on this date, where it corresponds to the 29th of Sha’ban.

This method ensures accuracy in determining the start of Ramadan, accommodating the rare timing overlap with sunset.

Brunei announces Thursday, February 19, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan.

Based on astronomical calculations, the crescent is expected to be visible on Feb. 18, 2026, marking the start of Ramadan 1447 AH.

The Australian Council of Fatwa confirms Feb. 19 as the start of Ramadan, with Taraweeh prayers beginning Wednesday evening, Feb. 18.

The General Secretariat of the European Council for Fatwa and Research issued an official statement setting the beginning of Ramadan and the date of Eid al-Fitr for the Hijri year 1447 (2026), based on precise astronomical calculations.

The council announced that Thursday, February 19, 2026 will mark the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

Oman’s moon-sighting committee announced that Wednesday, February 18, completes the month of Sha’ban, and that Thursday, February 19, 2026, marks the first day of Ramadan 1447 AH.

International Astronomy Center said Turkey and Singapore officially set Thursday, February 19, as start of Ramadan, based on precise astronomical calculations made ahead of traditional moon sighting.