According to the latest astronomical projections, the start of the sacred month of Ramadan 2026 (1447 AH) is set for Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Although the date is now widely anticipated by scientists, this year's Night of Doubt promises to be particularly challenging for observers.
Near Impossible Visibility
The major difficulty lies in the short time the lunar crescent is present on the horizon. Detailed calculations reveal extreme observation conditions:
- Day of Doubt (29 Sha'ban): Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
- Sunset in Tunis: 6:02 PM.
- Moonset: 6:09 PM.
- Time of presence: Only 7 minutes above the horizon.
This minimal duration, combined with an elevation of the crescent of barely one degree, makes visibility virtually nil. Whether it's an observation with the naked eye or with the help of a telescope, specialists estimate that it will be impossible to distinguish the Hilal.
When Astronomy Takes Over from the Naked Eye
This scenario reinforces the trend where religious authorities will have to rely more heavily on precise astronomical calculations if visual observation fails in most regions of the globe. These scientific data, based on the precise movement of the Moon around the Earth, confirm that the crescent will not meet the visibility criteria on February 17, thus postponing the start of fasting to Thursday, February 19, 2026.
