Ramadan Crescent Sighting Forecast: Sharjah SAASST Predicts Feb 19 For Most Islamic Nations

Ramadan for A.H. 1447 is expected to begin on Thursday, 19 February 2026, according to calculations from the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology at the University of Sharjah. The academy states that most countries that depend on actual crescent sighting are likely to start the fast on this date.

The academy adds that some Islamic countries may still declare Wednesday, 18 February 2026, as the first day of Ramadan. These states may rely on astronomical criteria without waiting for confirmed visual observation of the crescent, either by eye or telescope.

Specialists at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology explain that the moon reaches central conjunction with the sun on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at 12:01 PM GMT, which equals 4:01 PM UAE time. For Sharjah’s surface position, conjunction occurs at 1:52 PM GMT, or 5:52 PM local time, on the same day.

At sunset on 17 February 2026, the moon is still very young. Based on central conjunction, its age is only two hours and 14 minutes. The centre of the moon sets just seconds before the last part of the sun disappears below the horizon. Using surface calculations for Sharjah, the moon’s age at sunset is only 22 minutes.

Because of these conditions, the academy’s team concludes that sighting the Ramadan crescent on Tuesday evening is impossible. This applies to Sharjah, the wider UAE and almost all of the Islamic world. The crescent cannot be seen with the naked eye, and even advanced telescopes would not detect it under these circumstances.

By contrast, figures for Wednesday, 18 February 2026, show a clear change. Central conjunction calculations give the moon an age of more than 26 hours by sunset, with an elevation close to 12 degrees and 21 arcminutes above the horizon. For Sharjah’s surface position, the age is 24 hours and 23 minutes at about 12.5 degrees elevation, creating favourable visibility if skies remain clear.

Key astronomical timings and moon ages mentioned by the academy are shown below.

These results mean observers in the UAE and much of the Islamic world can expect viable crescent sighting conditions on Wednesday evening, 18 February 2026. On that basis, the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology anticipates that Ramadan will begin for most sighting-based countries on Thursday, 19 February 2026.

With inputs from WAM