The blessed month of Ramadan 1447 AH will begin with taraweeh prayer on Wednesday evening, 18 February 2026, with the first day of fasting on Thursday 19 February, according to announcements by major Australian Muslim religious bodies.
The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) explained that the new moon will occur late on Tuesday night, after sunset in Australia. Because the new month can only begin if the moon is born before sunset, the conditions were not met. Therefore, the month of Sha’ban will complete thirty days and fasting will start on Thursday.
AFIC encouraged Muslims to use Ramadan to strengthen brotherhood, uphold authentic values and increase worship.
The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) / Australian Fatwa Council, in a statement issued by the Grand Mufti of Australia Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammad, reached the same start date using the same timing of the moon relative to sunset across the country. The council noted that scholars hold legitimate differing opinions on moon-sighting methodologies and urged Muslims to respect these differences and preserve unity within the community.
Muslims across Australia are now looking forward to the start of Ramadan, as mosques and Islamic centres prepare to receive worshippers for Taraweeh prayers each night.
It’s a shame that the Sunnah of actually sighting the moon is being left.
Timezone, moon projectory, Australia geographic position, must be taken into account.
Crescent will never be seen in Southern hemisphere, same day as middle east.