Muscat: The government of Oman has officially announced that the first day of Ramadan in the Sultanate will fall on Thursday, February 19, 2026. This makes Oman the first Arab country to declare the start of Ramadan, even a week before the moon sighting, according to local and international media reports.

The announcement was made through Omani state media, stating that Wednesday, February 18, 2026, will mark the last day of Sha’ban, and Thursday, February 19, 2026, will correspond to 1st Ramadan 1447 Hijri.

Oman’s central moon-sighting committee clarified that astronomical calculations confirm that the crescent moon cannot be sighted on Tuesday, 29th Sha’ban. The committee emphasized that when scientific facts indicate the impossibility of sighting the moon on a particular day, any contrary testimonies are not accepted. Based on these calculations, the committee officially declared the start of Ramadan for Thursday, February 19, 2026.

In parallel, the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Science, and Technology, operating under the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, also released a detailed lunar forecast for Ramadan this year. The academy’s research team confirmed that the crescent moon will not be visible on February 17, not only in Sharjah and the UAE but also across most of the Islamic world. They used modern telescopes and astronomical instruments to reach this conclusion. Therefore, they expect Ramadan to begin on February 19, 2026, following scientific calculations.

The announcement from Oman reflects a growing trend among Gulf countries to combine traditional moon-sighting methods with scientific observations to determine the start of Ramadan. Authorities emphasize that such measures help provide clarity for citizens and residents, enabling them to prepare for the holy month in advance.

This year, with Ramadan expected to start on February 19, Muslims in Oman and other parts of the world will begin fasting, observing prayers, and engaging in acts of charity according to Islamic traditions. The early announcement from Oman may also guide other countries in the region in setting the dates for Ramadan observances.