Oman has officially announced that the holy month of Ramadan 2026 will begin on Thursday, February 19, based on scientific calculations rather than waiting for a moon sighting. The announcement comes ahead of the expected crescent moon sighting in many parts of the world on Tuesday, February 17, after Maghrib prayers.
The Sultanate’s Main Committee for Moon Sighting explained that the moon will set on Tuesday, corresponding to Shaban 29, 1447 AH, before or at sunset in all governorates of Oman, making it impossible to sight the crescent. Following the principle of relying on observable reality and scientific certainty, the Committee declared that Wednesday, February 18, will be the last day of Shaban, and Ramadan will start on February 19.
Similarly, the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology in the UAE confirmed that the Ramadan crescent will not be visible on February 17 anywhere in the UAE or most of the Islamic world, meaning Ramadan will also begin on February 19 there.
In Pakistan, astronomers say the Ramadan crescent is likely to be sighted on February 18. According to astronomical data, the new moon will be born on February 17 at 5:01pm, and the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Peshawar on February 18 to officially assess the moon sighting reports.
