The dates for the start of the month of Ramadan varied between a number of countries, as France, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and Qatar announced that Wednesday is the first day of fasting, while Iran and the Sultanate of Oman set Thursday as the date for the beginning of the month, in light of the continued adoption of the Sharia vision versus astronomical calculations.
Published on: 02/17/2026 - 20:57
France, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and Qatar announced on Tuesday that Wednesday is the first day of Ramadan, while Iran announced that Thursday is the first day of the month of fasting.
In France, “the holy month of Ramadan will begin in France on Wednesday, February 18,” according to a joint statement signed by the Grand Mosque, French Muslims, the Association of Faith and Practice, and the French Federation of Islamic Associations of Africa, the Comoros and the Antilles (FFAIACA).
A statement by the Saudi Royal Court included, “The Supreme Court decides that tomorrow, Wednesday, is the first day of the blessed month of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH.”
In the Emirates, the Presidential Office announced, “The sighting of the crescent of the blessed month of Ramadan has been confirmed, making tomorrow, Wednesday, February 18, the first day of the holy month in the country,” as reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs in Qatar also announced Wednesday the first day of Ramadan.
In Iran, the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that “it is expected - as indicated in the calendar - that Thursday will be the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.”
The Sultanate of Oman announced a week ago that the month of Ramadan on its territory would begin on Thursday, “in view of what astronomy has proven.”
Despite the development of astronomical calculations and their ability to determine the beginning of the Islamic months for many years in advance, Saudi religious institutions adhere to adopting naked eye sighting as the official source for proving the appearance of the crescent, which has been legally in place since the time of the Prophet Muhammad, who linked the beginning of fasting with the sighting of the crescent.
Many Islamic countries around the world follow the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in determining the start of Ramadan. The Saudi authorities rely on the testimonies of observers in 12 locations around the Kingdom to determine whether or not the month of Ramadan was confirmed on the investigation night.
Based on these testimonies, the Saudi Supreme Court issues its decision regarding the advent of the month of fasting, before the King approves it.
France 24/AFP
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