In the Name of God, the Most High

Guidelines for Determining the Beginning of Ramadan 1447 A.H.

Based on the latest fatwas of the Supreme Leader — validity of having the same horizon, sighting the crescent through observational instruments is sufficient, and that sighting the crescent during the day is valid to establish the beginning of the new month on the following day — the method for determining the first day of Ramadan 1447 A.H. is presented as follows:

On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, moon sighting should be conducted in the Arabian Peninsula, Africa, Spain, Portugal, and North and South America. In other parts of the world, moon sighting should be done on Wednesday, February 18. If the crescent is successfully sighted, then Thursday will be the first day of Ramadan in those regions.

If Thursday, February 19, 2026 is declared as the first day of Ramadan in Iran, then the following regions should follow this announcement: West Asia; the Republics of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Nakhchivan; southern and western Ukraine; central and southern Poland; Denmark; England; Iceland; all European countries located south of these five; the northern halves of Tanzania and Angola; the Congo and African countries located north of these three; Brazil (except its far southern parts); northern Argentina; the northern half of Chile; those South American countries situated north of these areas; and all countries in North and Central America.

Experts in crescent observation predict that this crescent will be visible throughout the world on Wednesday, February 18, except in northeastern Russia and New Zealand, where it will be visible on Thursday.

According to the inquiry addressed to the Supreme Leader (may his shadow be prolonged), if a person gains confidence in the crescent’s visibility based on the statements of experts, then it is religiously permissible to act accordingly.