Not Just Indonesia: Several Countries Begin Ramadan Fasting Tomorrow
Most Arab countries — with the exception of Oman — commenced Ramadan fasting on Wednesday 18 February 2026. However, several other Muslim nations have announced that they will begin the first day of the holy month of Ramadan on the following day, Thursday 19 February 2026.
Ramadan is determined by the lunar calendar, meaning it tends to shift each year. This is why scholars engage in ijtihad (religious deliberation) to observe the crescent moon marking the new month after sunset on the 29th day of Sha’ban.
The newly born crescent moon appears as an extremely thin arc, with its tips pointing upward and slightly tilting southward. If the crescent is sighted, Ramadan begins the following day. If not, the month of Sha’ban is rounded out to 30 days.
This annual date shift affects fasting hours, climatic conditions, and daily routines across the Muslim world.
The crescent moon observation is also the reason why some countries have declared today as the start of the holy month whilst others are waiting until tomorrow.
The following countries will begin Ramadan 1446 Hijriah on 19 February 2026:
- Azerbaijan
- Australia
- Brunei
- Egypt
- France
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Malaysia
- Morocco
- Oman
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Syria
- Turkey
- Uzbekistan