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Ramadan 2026: These 4 countries have already announced official start dates
The start of the holy month is not the same across the world due to differences in Moon sighting methods
- PUBLISHED: Fri 13 Feb 2026, 10:00 AM UPDATED: Tue 17 Feb 2026, 12:11 PM
As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, several countries have announced the official start date, relying on astronomical calculations to determine the crescent moon.
The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, with the start of each month traditionally determined by the sighting of the new crescent. While some countries rely on physical observation — using the naked eye or telescopes — others use scientific calculations to predict the moon’s position and visibility.
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While most countries have yet to confirm the start of Ramadan 2026, a few have already made official announcements:
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Oman
Oman declared Wednesday (February 18) as the last day of the Hijri month of Shaban, and Thursday (February 19), as the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.
According to the Gulf country's Main Committee for Moon Sighting, the crescent will not be visible on Tuesday (February 17), in any governate, making the Moon sighting astronomically impossible.
Turkey
The Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs has indicated that the crescent moon will not be visible on Tuesday (February 17, 2026), from any location in the Arab and Islamic world, nor from the Americas. Because of this, Turkey expects the moon to be sighted on Wednesday, with the first day of Ramadan beginning on Thursday (February 19).
Singapore
Singapore’s Islamic Religious Council, chaired by the country’s Mufti, has made a similar announcement, confirming that Ramadan will also begin on Thursday (February 19). The country noted that it is impossible for the crescent to be sighted on Tuesday and that Ramadan will begin on Thursday, February 19.
Australia
Australia has also set the start of Ramadan for Thursday (February 19), the Australian Fatwa Council announced. The Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamad, confirmed that while the first day of fasting falls on Thursday, the first night of Ramadan — including Taraweeh prayers — will be observed on Wednesday (February 18), after sunset, following consultations with imams nationwide.
The Australian Fatwa Council noted that the decision follows the principle of not accepting reports that contradict observable reality or scientific certainty. With astronomical data confirming that crescent sighting is impossible on Tuesday (February 17), Wednesday becomes the last day of Shaban and Thursday the first day of Ramadan.
Why Ramadan’s start date differs across the Muslim world
The beginning of Ramadan is not uniform worldwide due to differences in moonsighting methods. Generally, countries follow one of four approaches:
Local physical sighting (Ru’yah)
This method relies on direct human observation of the crescent using the naked eye. The sighting is confirmed by the actual spotting of the thin crescent moon in the evening sky after Maghrib prayer. Observers look toward the western horizon, and any confirmed sighting — by the naked eye or sometimes optical aids — is reported to an official religious authority, such as a moon-sighting committee or court. Authorities then announce the official results to the public.
Astronomical calculations
This method uses scientific data, such as the time of conjunction, moon altitude, and visibility criteria, to determine when the crescent can be seen. It is followed by some countries, especially where sighting is difficult.
Standard method
In some cases, Muslims follow the crescent moon sighting or calendar of another country with an established Islamic authority — often the nearest Muslim-majority country or a location like Makkah — to decide when the Islamic month begins.
Antarctica, for example, has no permanent Muslim population or official Islamic institutions, so there isn’t a unique moonsighting system there the way countries have formal committees to declare crescent sightings. Muslims who happen to be in there, like researchers or staff at research stations, adapt by using this approach to sighting.
Hybrid approach
This method combines astronomical calculations and physical sighting. Calculations are used to determine whether sighting is astronomically possible and to guide observers, but the final decision still depends on an officially confirmed sighting announced by religious authorities. Calculations support the process but do not replace it, and Muslims have to wait for official announcements of sighting results.
