First Day of Ramadan Astronomically Predicted for February 19th

Ramadan in Egypt is expected to begin on Thursday, February 19th, 2026, according to astronomical calculations issued by the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics. The institute said that Wednesday, February 18th, will mark the completion of Shaaban 1447 AH.

The institute explained that the Ramadan crescent will be born immediately after the astronomical conjunction, which occurs on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026, corresponding to 29 Shaaban 1447 AH, the official moon-sighting day. Based on the calculations, the crescent will be visible after sunset in several locations across the region. In Egypt, the moon is expected to set between three and four minutes after sunset on the sighting day across all governorates.

In Makkah, the moon will set three minutes after sunset, while in Cairo it will set four minutes after sunset. Across Arab and Islamic capitals, the moon will generally set between one and 12 minutes after sunset. Exceptions include Manama, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Tehran, where the moon will set at the same time as sunset.

In Karachi, the moon will set one minute before sunset, while in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta it will set four minutes before sunset, meaning the crescent will not have been born by sunset in those cities.