Ramadan to Begin Feb. 19 in Saudi Arabia Based on Astronomical Calculations

IQNA – As millions of Muslims around the world are waiting for the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan and the countdown has begun, astronomical calculations show that the end of the month of Shaaban 1447 AH will coincide astronomically with Wednesday, February 18.

Accordingly, the first day of the month of fasting will be Thursday, February 19.

According to Dalil Al-Saudiyya, based on astronomical calculations, this year's Ramadan will be 30 full days, and Saturday, March 21, 2026, will be the first day of the month of Shawwal, which marks Eid Al-Fitr.

It is when Muslims around the world will celebrate the end of a month of fasting in an atmosphere filled with spirituality and warm family relationships.

Mohammed Gharib, a professor of astronomical research at the Saudi National Institute for Astronomy and Geophysics Research, explained that astronomical calculations show that the month of Shaaban will most likely be 30 days long, adding that astronomically, the first day of Ramadan is predicted to coincide with February 19.

He also emphasized that accurate astronomical calculations show that the crescent of Ramadan is born before the time of observation, but the length of the crescent’s pause after sunset on the day of observation is the determining factor in the possibility of its sighting.

However, meteorologist Khalid Al-Zaaq says data shows that Wednesday, February 18 will be the beginning of Ramadan, and when the 30-day month is complete, Friday, March 20, 2026 will be Eid Al-Fitr.

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