Ramadan 2026: Dates, Fasting Hours, and Crescent Sighting Predictions Revealed
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Astronomical forecasts indicate the holy month of Ramadan in 1447 AH, corresponding to 2026 AD, will begin on Thursday, February 19th, and conclude on Thursday, March 19th, encompassing a full 29 days of fasting.
Ramadan, a period of spiritual reflection and rigorous fasting for Muslims worldwide, is determined by both religious observance and astronomical calculations. These calculations are crucial for establishing the start and end dates of the month, and for determining the daily timings for suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (fast-breaking meal).
Determining the Start of Ramadan: A Celestial Watch
According to detailed astronomical analysis, the crescent of Ramadan will be born immediately after the conjunction, occurring at 2:02 PM Cairo local time on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. This date is considered the “sighting day,” when observers attempt to visually confirm the new moon.
However, the visibility of the crescent moon varies significantly depending on geographical location. One analyst noted that the new crescent will not be visible at sunset on February 17th in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Jakarta, Indonesia. This is due to the moon’s position relative to the sun and the Earth.
Regional Variations in Crescent Visibility
The timing of the moon’s setting relative to sunset is critical for determining the start of Ramadan. In Mecca, the moon will set three minutes after sunset on the sighting day. In Cairo, the moon will set four minutes after sunset, with similar timings – ranging from 3-4 minutes – across most of Egypt.
Other Arab and Islamic capitals and cities will experience moonset timings between 1-12 minutes after sunset. Notably, Manama in Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Muscat in Oman, and Tehran in Iran will see the moon set with the sunset on February 17th.
Karachi, Pakistan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Jakarta, Indonesia will experience the moon setting one to four minutes before sunset, respectively. As a result, a senior official stated that Wednesday, February 18, 2026, will mark the completion of the month of Shaban, and the commencement of Ramadan will be astronomically confirmed on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Fasting Hours in 2026
The length of the daily fast will vary throughout Ramadan. February 19th, the first day of the month, will be the shortest, with approximately 13 hours and 2 minutes of fasting. Conversely, March 19th, the final day of Ramadan, will be the longest, requiring approximately 13 hours and 52 minutes of fasting.
These calculations, based on the Imsakah – a daily calendar detailing prayer times and fasting hours – provide Muslims with essential information for observing the rituals of Ramadan. The precise timings will, of course, be subject to minor local adjustments.
The anticipation for Ramadan 2026 is already building, and these astronomical predictions offer a valuable glimpse into the spiritual journey that awaits Muslims around the globe.
