According to the Australian Fatwa Council, the holy month of Ramadan (2026, 1447H) will commence in Australia on Thursday, February 19, 2026. On Wednesday, February 18, after sunset, the Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohamad, declared that the first night of Ramadan, including Taraweeh prayers, will be observed, rather than Thursday, the first day of the holy month. Discussions with imams nationwide led to the final decision.
As to the Council’s explanation, the new moon will be born later that night at 11.01pm (5.01pm UAE time), while sunset in Sydney will be at 7.45pm AEST (1.45pm UAE time) on Tuesday, February 17. At 7.04pm AWST (3.04 pm UAE time), the sun will set over Perth, and at 8.01pm, the new moon will rise. According to the announcement, Ramadan will not commence on the evening of February 17 because the new moon will not be visible from Australia until after sunset.
The Australian Fatwa Council and the Grand Mufti use the relative times of sunset and the new moon to establish when Ramadan begins. No new moon will be considered on the evening of the first of the month if it occurs after sunset.
It was recognised by the Australian Fatwa Council and the Australian National Imams Council that various scholars may use different methodologies to determine when Ramadan begins. The councils advised Muslims to tolerate differing perspectives while striving for communal harmony.
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