A matter of hours separated the start of fasting for Ramadan 1447 AH across different countries: some began on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, while others announced Thursday, February 19, 2026
Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتسابA matter of hours separated the start of fasting for Ramadan 1447 AH across different countries: some began on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, while others announced Thursday, February 19, 2026 as the first day. This recurring variation is not about the month itself, but about official moon-sighting procedures, evidentiary standards, and real-world visibility conditions.
In the UAE, the Presidential Court announced that Wednesday, February 18, 2026 would be the first day of Ramadan after the official Moon Sighting Committee confirmed the crescent sighting on Tuesday evening, February 17.
In Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Press Agency reported a Royal Court announcement designating Wednesday, February 18, 2026 as the first day of Ramadan, based on confirmed crescent sighting through the competent bodies.
By contrast, Oman declared Thursday, February 19, 2026 as the first day of Ramadan, citing the decision of its main moon-sighting committee.
In Europe, the European Council for Fatwa and Research stated that Thursday, February 19, 2026 would be the first day of Ramadan under its adopted astronomical criteria for determining the start of lunar months.
Official drivers of اختلاف (why it happens)
Different official methodologies: some authorities rely on verified local sighting, while others use adopted astronomical criteria alongside their institutional standards.
Different horizons and visibility conditions: geographic location, moon altitude after sunset, cloud cover, and light pollution can make the crescent visible in one region but not another.
Different validation rules: authorities vary on witness requirements, verification procedures, observatory inputs, and whether they accept sighting from outside their jurisdiction.
What it means for residents and communities
Practically, religious bodies generally advise following the officially recognized authority in the country of residence. In diaspora settings, different Islamic institutions may follow different councils, which can also lead to varying start dates within the same country.
