The Fatwa Center under the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan provided important information on observations on February 17: the crescent of the month of Ramadan 1447 AH was not sighted in Uzbekistan.
According to the religious board, this conclusion is also confirmed by astronomical data provided by the Institute of Astronomy under the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan. That is, the matter is not “who said what” - the calculation and observation coincided at one point.
What was the decision?
On this basis, February 18 was determined as the 30th day of the month of Sha'ban. It was decided that the first day of Ramadan would fall on February 19. In short: one day of “extra time”, then Ramadan will start.
Which countries have chosen February 19?
According to the religious authority, a number of Muslim countries have also announced February 19 as the first day of Ramadan. Among them:
- Arab Republic of Egypt
- Jordan
- Syria
- Iraq
- Iran
- Turkey
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Azerbaijan
- Indonesia
- Brunei
- Oman
- Singapore
- Australia
- Japan
- Pakistan
- India
- Malaysia
- South Korea
It was also reported that the European Council for Fatwa and Research has also announced February 19 as the first day of Ramadan.
The date in Saudi Arabia is different
It was also noted that this afternoon, the Moon Sighting Committee under the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia announced February 18 as the first day of Ramadan. Such differences are found in practice: the criteria for seeing the moon, geography, and calculation methods may vary.
The official approach in Uzbekistan is also clear
In Uzbekistan, on February 16, a presidential decree “On the worthy celebration of the blessed month of Ramadan” was signed, in which it was stated that the information of the religious authorities that the beginning of Ramadan in 2026 will fall on February 19 was accepted for information.
The bottom line is: the date is officially clear, there is time to prepare. Most importantly, everyone should celebrate Ramadan in their homes and in their hearts in an orderly manner and with good intentions.
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