Overview
- The Emirates Astronomical Society projects the crescent will not be visible on Tuesday, February 17, making Thursday, February 19 the more likely first day in the UAE and much of the Arab world.
- Pakistan’s Meteorological Department forecasts a likely crescent sighting on Wednesday, February 18, which would place the first fast on Thursday, February 19, subject to Ruet-e-Hilal Committee confirmation.
- UAE astronomers caution that the moon sets at or before sunset across much of the Islamic world on February 17, warning the public against false or premature sighting claims.
- Different methods may lead to varying local start dates, with some mosques following Saudi Arabia’s Umm al‑Qura calendar for a February 18 start and calculation-based councils fixing February 19 in advance.
- If the projection holds, Ramadan is expected to last 29 days with Eid al‑Fitr around Friday, March 20, and fasting hours this year generally shorter in late winter.