With Ramadan drawing closer, a number of countries have already declared when the holy month will begin, using astronomical calculations to determine when the crescent moon can realistically be seen.
Ramadan is tied to the Islamic lunar calendar, which traditionally begins each month based on the appearance of the new crescent. While some nations continue to rely mainly on direct observation through the naked eye or telescopes, others use scientific data to assess visibility and issue early announcements.
Although most Muslim-majority countries have not yet officially confirmed the first day of Ramadan 2026, several have already set the date.
In Oman, authorities announced that Wednesday, February 18 will be the final day of Shaaban, with Ramadan starting on Thursday, February 19. The country’s Main Committee for Moon Sighting said the crescent cannot be seen on Tuesday, February 17 in any governorate, making a confirmed sighting astronomically impossible.
Turkey has also pointed to the same outcome. The Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs stated that the crescent will not be visible on Tuesday, February 17, not only in the Arab and Islamic world but also across the Americas. Based on this assessment, the country expects the moon to be sighted the following day, with Ramadan set to begin on Thursday, February 19.
Singapore reached the same conclusion through its Islamic Religious Council, led by the nation’s Mufti. The council confirmed that Ramadan will start on Thursday, February 19, citing the impossibility of crescent visibility on Tuesday.
Australia has likewise set the first day of fasting for Thursday, February 19, according to the Australian Fatwa Council. The Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamad, said the first night of Ramadan will begin on Wednesday evening, February 18, after sunset, which includes the start of Taraweeh prayers. The decision followed consultations with imams across the country.
The Australian Fatwa Council explained that the ruling is grounded in the principle that reports should not be accepted when they contradict scientific certainty or observable reality, noting that astronomical data indicates crescent sighting is not possible on Tuesday, February 17.
The variation in Ramadan start dates across different countries is often linked to how moonsighting is handled. Some follow strict local observation, relying on confirmed human sighting of the crescent after Maghrib prayer. Others depend fully on astronomical calculations, using scientific indicators such as conjunction timing and moon altitude.
Some communities also follow the calendar or sighting decisions of another recognised Islamic authority, particularly in places without an official moonsighting body. In Antarctica, for instance, Muslims such as researchers and station staff typically follow an external authority due to the absence of a permanent Islamic institution.
Other countries use a hybrid approach, combining calculations with physical sighting, where scientific data guides the process but the final declaration still depends on an official confirmed report.
