Disagreements Over Ramadan 1447/2026 Start Date Continue Among Muslim Countries
The start date of Ramadan 1447/2026 continues to spark disagreements among several Muslim countries, with some opting for Wednesday, February 18, and others for Thursday, February 19, based on the adopted astronomical and religious criteria.
According to the International Astronomy Center, Turkey, the Sultanate of Oman, and Singapore have agreed that Wednesday, February 18, 2026, will complete the month of Sha'ban, making Thursday, February 19, 2026, the first day of the sacred month of Ramadan. The International Astronomy Center explained that astronomical calculations in these countries indicate that it will be impossible to observe the lunar crescent on Tuesday, February 17, the official observation day, due to the moon setting before the sun in most regions of the Arab and Islamic world.
Visual Observation, a Decisive Criterion in Oman
In this context, the Sultanate of Oman officially announced that Wednesday, February 18, will be the last day of Sha'ban, specifying that the observation of the lunar crescent remains an essential condition for entering the Hijri month. However, on February 17, 2026, the moon will set before or at the same time as the sun throughout the Omani territory, making observation impossible.
Qatar Opting for Astronomical Calculation
On the other hand, the State of Qatar announced that the astronomical birth of the Ramadan crescent will take place on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, according to a statement published by the Dar Al-Taqweem Al-Qatari. The Qatari institution, however, recalled that the final religious decision regarding the start of Ramadan remains the responsibility of the official commission in charge of observing the lunar crescent at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.
These disagreements once again illustrate the coexistence, within the Muslim world, of two complementary approaches: traditional visual observation and the use of modern astronomical calculations to determine the start of lunar months.
Read also: Official: This Arab country announces the start of Ramadan 2026 before others
