Oman Becomes First Arab Nation to Officially Announce Start of Ramadan 2026
The Sultanate of Oman has become the first Arab country to officially announce the start date of the month of Ramadan for 2026, revealing the highly anticipated religious calendar on Wednesday, which is observed by millions of Muslim faithful every year.
According to the main committee responsible for lunar month observations, Thursday, February 19, 2026, will mark the first day of Ramadan in the country, based on recognized astronomical calculations, as reported by the official news agency.
This announcement comes nearly a week before the usual period of crescent moon sighting, a move that sets Oman apart from its Arab neighbors. The decision is based on astronomical analysis indicating that the visibility of the crescent moon on February 17 is impossible throughout the country because it sets before sunset. Consequently, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, has been declared the last day of the month of Sha'ban, making February 19, 2026, the official start date of the Ramadan fast.
An Astronomy-Based Announcement
In its statement, the committee emphasized that scientific reports from astronomy contradicting the visibility of the crescent are taken into account even without eyewitness testimony, in accordance with established practices. This approach prioritizes scientific certainty over local observation, while respecting the religious principles of determining lunar months.
The Omani authorities also noted that Ramadan 2026 will coincide with the end of winter and the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, which should result in moderate fasting durations in most Arab countries, generally ranging from 12 to 14 hours a day. This estimate takes into account the geographical variation in daylight hours.
Experts also predict a gradual increase in daylight hours throughout the month, with an extension of approximately 30 minutes between the first and last day of Ramadan.
Meanwhile, other Arab countries and Muslim communities will announce their own start dates for Ramadan in the coming days, following traditional local observations of the crescent moon.
