Oman has formally introduced that the holy month of Ramadan 2026 will start on Thursday, February 19, primarily based on scientific calculations moderately than ready for a moon sighting. The announcement comes forward of the anticipated crescent moon sighting in lots of elements of the world on Tuesday, February 17, after Maghrib prayers.
The Sultanate’s Essential Committee for Moon Sighting defined that the moon will set on Tuesday, comparable to Shaban 29, 1447 AH, earlier than or at sundown in all governorates of Oman, making it not possible to see the crescent. Following the precept of counting on observable actuality and scientific certainty, the committee declared that Wednesday, February 18, would be the final day of Shaban, and Ramadan will begin on February 19.
Equally, the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Area Sciences and Know-how within the UAE confirmed that the Ramadan crescent is not going to be seen on February 17 wherever within the UAE or many of the Islamic world, which means Ramadan will even start on February 19 there.
In Pakistan, astronomers say the Ramadan crescent is prone to be sighted on February 18. In response to astronomical knowledge, the brand new moon can be born on February 17 at 5:01pm, and the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Peshawar on February 18 to formally assess the moon sighting studies.

