February 16, 2026 | 09:34 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Several countries have begun calculating the beginning of Ramadan, which marks the start of the Muslim fasting month. In Saudi Arabia, Ramadan is estimated to fall on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, or Thursday, February 19, 2026, depending on the sighting of the new moon.
Other countries follow their own moon observation methods. Some countries use astronomical calculations for the moon phase, while others rely on traditional local observations.
According to Al Jazeera, citing Crescent Moon Watch, a moon tracker managed by the UK Nautical Almanac Office, the new moon of Ramadan will begin on February 17, 2026, at 03:01 p.m. Mecca time.
On the evening of February 18, 2026, the new moon should be visible in most parts of the world. At that time, the moon will be almost 26 hours old. The moon will be higher in the sky and will remain visible for a longer duration after sunset, making it easily observable by the public.
Here are some early Ramadan predictions in various countries:
North America
The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) and the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), both of which follow astronomical calculations, have officially announced that Ramadan will begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Their calculation states that when the sun sets at a certain location on earth, the moon's elongation must be at least 8 degrees, and the moon must be at least 5 degrees above the horizon to be visible.
Europe
The European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR) has determined that Thursday, February 19, 2026, will be the first day of Ramadan. ECFR notes that although the astronomical birth of the moon occurs on Tuesday, the moon will not be visible that evening, either with the naked eye or through telescopes and other observation instruments. Turkey has also set February 19, 2026, as the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, for the same reasons.
Middle East
Most Middle Eastern countries, led by Saudi Arabia, will not make a final announcement until Tuesday evening, February 17, 2026. If the Saudi Supreme Court receives testimony about the moon's sighting on Tuesday night, they may designate Wednesday as the first day of Ramadan. However, this is highly unlikely due to the reasons mentioned above.
Asia
Throughout Asia, the start of Ramadan in 2026 is likely to fall on Thursday, February 19, 2026, because the moon will set before sunset in that region on Tuesday night.
Singapore has officially confirmed the start of Ramadan on Thursday. Meanwhile, countries in South Asia, including India and Pakistan, estimate Thursday, February 19, 2026, as the first day of fasting.
Africa
In Africa, the start of Ramadan follows a pattern similar to other parts of the world, with most countries estimating the beginning of Ramadan on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Australia and Oceania
The National Imams Council of Australia has announced that Ramadan will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Read: Indonesia to Hold Crescent Sighting for Ramadan at 96 Locations
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