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 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

— وزارة الأوقاف والشؤون الدينية - سلطنة عُمان (@meraoman) February 11, 2026

Turkiye 
The Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs confirmed that Thursday, February 19, 2026, will be the first day of the holy month of Ramadan. 

Cuma Hutbesi: Ramazan İklimihttps://t.co/rvVBJ8oaBT pic.twitter.com/84oWVXnbHe

— T.C. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı (@diyanetbasin) February 13, 2026

Australia 

The Australian National Imams Council and the Australian Fatwa Council released a statement confirming that the holy month of Ramadan will commence on February 19, 2026, based on the timing of the birth of new moon. 

It also mentioned, "Firstly, in Sydney, the sun will set on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at 7:45pm (AEST), while the new moon for the month of Ramadan will be born at 11:01 pm on the same night. In Perth, the sun will set on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at 7:04 pm (AWST), while the new moon for the month of Ramadan will be born at 8:01 pm. This means that the new moon will be born after sunset in Australia, and the month of Ramadan cannot commence on that night." 

Commencement of The Holy Month of Ramadan I 1447H – 2026

Following extensive consultations with the Imams from the Australian Fatwa Council, the Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamad wishes to make the following statement regarding the Holy Month of Ramadan 1447H -… pic.twitter.com/j41eixc8v4

— Australian National Imams Council (@ImamsCouncil) February 12, 2026