UAE Revises Ramadan Moon Sighting Forecast
The International Astronomical Center (IAC) in the United Arab Emirates has updated its forecast for the start of Ramadan 2026, stating that the crescent moon is now expected to be visible on Thursday, 19 February.
Previously, various astronomical bodies had indicated a possible sighting on Tuesday, 17 February, with the new moon rising shortly after sunset in the Middle East. However, in a Sunday statement, IAC clarified that while the moon will be in its final formation phase on 17 February, it will not be visible to the naked eye. On 19 February, the crescent may be briefly visible (for about one minute) in the UAE sky after sunset.
Ramadan, the third pillar of Islam, involves fasting from dawn to dusk in pursuit of divine pleasure. The month lasts 29 or 30 days and ends with Eid-ul-Fitr upon sighting the Shawwal moon.
As Ramadan typically begins in Bangladesh one day after the Middle East sighting, the revised IAC forecast suggests the crescent is likely to be visible in Bangladesh on Friday, 20 February.
Follow The Daily Campus on Google News
