The Federal Shariah Council and the Federal Fatwa Council of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils convened under the chairmanship of His Eminence the Grand Mufti of Australia, Sheikh Riad El Rifai, to deliberate on the determination of the first day of the blessed month of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH.
With the help of Allah تعالى, and based on the verified results of precise astronomical observation of the positions of the sun and the moon at sunset on Tuesday, 17 February 2026 (Sydney time, Australia), it was established that the moon would set five minutes before the sun, and that the birth of the moon (astronomical conjunction) would occur at 11:01 PM, that is, after sunset.
Accordingly, the juristic criteria for the commencement of the new lunar month were not fulfilled, as the recognized legal consideration is that the conjunction must occur before sunset and that the moon must set after the sun.
In light of this, Wednesday shall complete the thirty days of the month of Sha’ban and Thursday, 19 February 2026, shall be the first day (1st of Ramadan) of the blessed month of Ramadan 1447 AH. And Allah, Most High, knows best.
The Federal Shariah Council and the Federal Fatwa Council call upon the community of believers and the wider Muslim communities to adhere to the guidance of our noble religion by strengthening the bonds of sincere brotherhood, upholding authentic values and principles and seizing the spiritual opportunities of the blessed month of Ramadan in ways that purify the soul, elevate aspiration and fill our days with tranquillity and contentment from a Most Generous Lord.
May Allah accept from us and from you our acts of devotion, grant us emancipation from the Fire and may you be blessed each year with goodness, well-being and the bounty of Allah.
Federal Shariah Council
Federal Fatwa Council – Australian Federation of Islamic Councils
Representatives of Dar al-Fatwa of the Lebanese Republic in Australia
(Sydney, Victoria, Adelaide, Perth)
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