Four Countries and Several Astronomical Organizations Announce Predicted Dates for the Start of Ramadan 1447
According to the criteria and calculations specific to each entity, the start of the sacred month is expected to occur between February 18 and 19, 2026.
Convergence Towards Thursday for Turkey, Singapore, and Oman
Turkey and Singapore have set the first day of Ramadan as Thursday, February 19, based on technical calculations indicating that it will be impossible to observe the lunar crescent on Tuesday, February 17. In Turkey, the Presidency of Religious Affairs uses an anticipated calculation method that considers the visibility of the crescent from any region of the globe that shares a part of the night with the country. This criterion encompasses a large geographical area, from the Arab-Muslim world to parts of the Americas.
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore confirmed the same date, specifying that local observation would be impossible, as the moon sets before the sun. The Sultanate of Oman also joined this conclusion, announcing that Thursday, February 19, would officially mark the beginning of the fasting month.
The Qatari Exception and the Wait for the "Night of Doubt"
In contrast, Qatar currently stands out with the predictions of the Qatari Calendar House, which places the first astronomical day of Ramadan on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. However, the institution emphasized that the final decision remains the exclusive responsibility of the Lunar Crescent Observation Commission, attached to the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs. In the rest of the Muslim world, most countries maintain the tradition of the "Night of Doubt" and wait for visual observation to officially confirm the start of the sacred month.
