The Ramadan 2026 start date is expected to fall in mid February, with Muslims around the world preparing for the holy month of fasting as scholars and astronomers debate whether it will begin on Wednesday, 18 February or Thursday, 19 February.
Ramadan marks the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon, known as the hilal.
Because the Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, the exact start date can vary slightly between countries depending on local moon sightings and religious authority decisions.
Why there is uncertainty around the Ramadan 2026 start date
Astronomical calculations suggest that the new moon will be born late on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. However, experts say visibility conditions that evening are expected to be extremely difficult across much of the Middle East and other regions.
In several areas, the moon is forecast to set very close to sunset or even before it, making a reliable sighting unlikely.
Because of this, many astronomers and calendar specialists predict that Wednesday, 18 February 2026 will be counted as the 30th day of Sha’ban, the month before Ramadan.
That would make Thursday, 19 February 2026 the most likely first day of fasting in countries that rely on both moon sighting tradition and scientific calculations.
Could Ramadan 2026 start on 18 February?
In some regions, particularly where different moon sighting criteria are used, Ramadan could begin a day earlier if the crescent is reported as visible on the evening of 17 February 2026.
This has happened in previous years when visibility was borderline and local conditions varied.
Communities in parts of South Asia and North Africa sometimes follow local moon sighting results rather than regional forecasts from the Gulf.
As a result, the Ramadan 2026 start date may not be identical everywhere.
When will the Ramadan 2026 start date be confirmed?
The final decision will come after official moon sighting attempts on the evening of 17 February 2026.
Religious authorities and moon sighting committees in each country will review reports and then announce the confirmed start of Ramadan.
Once declared, mosques, schools and workplaces in many Muslim majority countries will publish updated schedules, including fasting times, prayer arrangements and changes to working hours during the month.
How long will Ramadan 2026 last?
Ramadan lasts either 29 or 30 days, depending on the lunar cycle.
Based on current projections, Eid al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is expected to fall around 20 March 2026 in many Middle Eastern countries if the month runs for 30 days.
As with the start of Ramadan, the exact date of Eid will also depend on the sighting of the next crescent moon.
The beginning of Ramadan affects daily routines for millions of people, from fasting hours and prayer schedules to school calendars and business operations.
Because the month shifts earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar, the 2026 Ramadan season will fall in cooler winter conditions in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere, which can influence fasting durations.
For Muslims worldwide, however, the exact date is more than a logistical detail. It marks the start of a spiritually significant month focused on fasting, charity, prayer and reflection.
The confirmed Ramadan 2026 start date will be watched closely in the days leading up to the moon sighting.
