Countries Confirm February 19 as Start of Ramadan 2026

Feb 17, 2026

49 min

Feb 17, 2026 16:31

Ramadan 2026: These countries have confirmed Thursday as the first day of the holy month

## Ramadan 2026 Begins on Different Days

As the holy month of Ramadan approaches in 2026, countries around the world are preparing to begin their observances. While the UAE and Saudi Arabia have announced that they will start Ramadan on Wednesday, February 18, several other nations have confirmed Thursday, February 19, as the first day.

## Lunar Calendar Determines Start Date

The start of Ramadan is determined by the lunar calendar, which causes the dates to shift annually. The process involves moon-sighting experts attempting to spot the crescent moon after sunset on the 29th day of Sha’ban. If the crescent is visible, Ramadan begins the next day; if not, Sha’ban continues for another day.

## Countries Starting on February 19

Countries that have announced February 19 as the start of Ramadan include Azerbaijan, Australia, Brunei, France, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines, Singapore, Syria, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. This variation in start dates is due to differences in moon-sighting results across regions.

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