Morocco: Astronomical calculations indicate likely start date of Ramadan

Monday 02 - 13:00

By: Sahili Aya

Morocco: Astronomical calculations indicate likely start date of Ramadan

Astronomical calculations suggest that the holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin around February 19, 2026, in Morocco and in many other countries that rely on the visual sighting of the new moon to mark the start of lunar months.

According to forecasts released by the International Astronomy Center, the crescent moon marking the beginning of Ramadan is likely to be visible on the evening of Wednesday, February 18, 2026, making Thursday, February 19, the probable first day of fasting. However, a possible start on Friday, February 20, cannot be entirely ruled out, depending on weather conditions and official moon-sighting reports.

Astronomical data specific to Rabat indicate particularly favorable conditions for observation. On February 18, the crescent moon is expected to set approximately 73 minutes after sunset, with an estimated age of nearly 30 hours, well above the minimum threshold required for naked-eye visibility.

These conditions place Morocco among the regions with the strongest potential for successful moon sighting, compared to other areas where the crescent’s visibility after sunset will be significantly shorter.

In contrast, experts note that observing the crescent on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, will be extremely unlikely across most of the Arab and Muslim world, as the moon will set at nearly the same time as the sun, making visibility impossible.

Authorities also urge caution regarding inaccurate sightings, reminding observers that bright celestial objects, such as the planet Venus, may sometimes be mistaken for the lunar crescent.