Ramadan 2026 Start Dates Announced Worldwide Following Moonsighting Forecasts
Saudi Arabia has made an early declaration for the start of Ramadan 2026, setting the holy month to begin on Wednesday, February 18. This announcement has prompted other nations around the globe to follow suit with their own dates, based on local moonsighting protocols and astronomical forecasts.
Global Moonsighting Protocols and Variations
While some communities in the UK align with Saudi announcements, the standard practice in many countries involves officials and citizens looking for the crescent moon in their own skies. This ensures national consensus on the Islamic calendar. The first faint crescent of the new moon was not expected to be visible globally on February 17, except in areas like the Hawaiian Islands and parts of French Polynesia, where there is no significant Islamic presence.
However, a sighting was reported from the Tumair Observatory in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Supreme Court accepted this report and ruled that Ramadan would commence on February 18. In response, Green Lane Masjid in Birmingham, which follows Saudi announcements, confirmed the same date and invited its congregation to the first Ramadan night prayers of taraweeh.
UK Moonsighting Event and Forecasts
In the UK, those relying on local rather than overseas moonsightings will be looking for the crescent on the evening of February 18. The Royal Observatory, Greenwich, and the New Crescent Society are collaborating on a national UK moonsighting event. Forecasts indicate that the moon was not visible on February 17 but is expected to be easily visible tonight from key locations including Birmingham, Leicester, London, Cardiff, Sheffield, Bradford, Manchester, Leeds, York, Belfast, Newcastle, and Glasgow.
This suggests that Ramadan, based solely on the UK moon, is set to start on Thursday, February 19. Similar patterns are observed in other countries, with most forecasts pointing to a February 19 start date.
Country-Specific Forecasts and Declarations
- Morocco: The new crescent moon is forecast to be 'not visible' on February 17 but easily visible on February 18. Morocco's Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs will conduct official observations on the evening of February 18.
- Turkey: Forecasts for Istanbul indicate the moon was not visible on February 17 but will be easily spotted on February 18, suggesting Ramadan will begin on February 19.
- Egypt: Astronomical data for Cairo states the moon could not be seen on February 17 but will be 'easily visible' on February 18, leading to a February 19 start.
- South Africa: Predictions for Cape Town suggest the crescent was 'not visible' on February 17 and may be visible with a telescope on February 18, potentially starting Ramadan on February 19.
- USA: Forecasts for New York and Los Angeles indicate the moon isn't visible on February 17 but will be easily seen on February 18, pointing to a February 19 start. The Fiqh Council of North America, using astronomical calculations, has already declared February 19 as the first day.
- Australia: The Australian Fatwa Council, led by Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamad, has declared Ramadan will start on February 19 for all states and territories, based on the timing of the new moon's birth relative to sunset.
- Nigeria: Moon data for Lagos suggests the moon was not visible on February 17 but will be easily seen on February 18, indicating a February 19 start.
- Pakistan: Forecasts for Karachi state the crescent was 'not visible' on February 17 but easy to see on February 18, suggesting a February 19 start date.
- Bangladesh: Astronomical data for Dhaka indicates the crescent moon could not be seen on February 17 but will be easily visible on February 18, pointing to a February 19 start.
- Indonesia: Predictions for Jakarta suggest officials would not see the moon on February 17, and it will be visible only in perfect conditions on February 18, likely leading to a February 19 start.
These forecasts highlight the diverse methods and local considerations involved in determining the start of Ramadan, with most nations expected to begin fasting on February 19, following Saudi Arabia's early declaration.
