Sunday 01/February/2026 – 11:36 AM
The International Astronomy Center reported that most countries will observe the crescent of Ramadan on Tuesday, February 17, according to the Gregorian date and astronomical forecasts indicated by some reconnaissance centers.
February 19, the beginning of Ramadan in all regions of the Islamic and Arab world
The International Astronomy Center added in a statement that seeing the crescent on Tuesday is between impossible or not possible in all regions of the Arab and Islamic world, whether with the naked eye, using a telescope, or even using ultra-powerful astronomical imaging technology. Accordingly, for countries that consider correct sighting of the crescent to be a condition for the start of the Hijri month, it is expected that Wednesday, February 18, will be the completion of the month of Shaban, and Thursday, February 19, will be the first day of the blessed month of Ramadan.
It is also not unlikely that the beginning of the month of Ramadan will be on Wednesday, February 18, in some countries that stipulate other conditions for the start of the month.
The reason why seeing the crescent moon is impossible or impossible on Tuesday, February 17, from all regions of the Arab and Islamic world is that the moon will set before the sun in the east of the Islamic world, and will set with it in the center of the Islamic world, and will set a few minutes later in the west of the Islamic world, with a period not sufficient for the moon to move from the new moon phase to the crescent phase to be able to be viewed by any visual means.
On the other hand, some Islamic countries will sight the crescent of the month of Ramadan on Wednesday, February 18, as it is the twenty-ninth day of the month of Shaban in them. These countries include: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Morocco, Mauritania, and some non-Arab Islamic countries in Africa. In these countries, the beginning of the month of Ramadan will be on Thursday, February 19, or Friday, February 20, depending on the result of sighting the crescent and the weather conditions on that day.
