Ramadan 2026: Countries officially confirm first day of fasting

NOTE: Article will be updated as and when countries confirm the Ramadan commencement. Doha, Qatar: Religious affairs committees across various coun...

NOTE: Article will be updated as and when countries confirm the Ramadan commencement.

Doha, Qatar: Religious affairs committees across various countries have announced the first day of Ramadan based on astronomical calculations. As of the date of publishing, committees from Oman, Turkiye and Singapore explained that as the moon sets before the sun on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, visual sighting become impossible. 

Below is the list of countries that have already confirmed the dates:  

Oman The Sultanate of Oman is among the first GCC nations to confirm Thursday, February 19, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan, based on astronomical calculations. The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs said, in a statement, that since the sighting was astronomically impossible, "Wednesday, the 18th of February, will complete the month of Sha'ban 1447 AH and Thursday, the 19th of February 2026, will be the first day of the month of Ramadan 1447 AH..." 

بيان اللجنة الرئيسة لاستطلاع أهلة الشهور الهجرية بشأن عدم ثبوت رؤية هلال شهر #رمضان لعام 1447 هـ لاستحالة رؤيته فلكيًا Statement of the Main Committee for Moon Sighting on the Astronomical Impossibility of Sighting the Crescent Moon for the Month of Ramadan 1447 AH pic.twitter.com/UsRVrrGys0