Ramadan 2026: Oman Officially Confirms Date For The Beginning Of The Holy Month; Know Timing & Traditions

Oman has become the first Gulf country to formally confirm when Ramadan begins this year, with authorities declaring Thursday, February 19 as the first day of fasting.

The announcement came Wednesday from the Main Committee for Moon Sighting, operating under the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs. The early call gives residents a definitive date well ahead of official confirmations elsewhere in the region.

The decision rested on astronomical data. Authorities determined the crescent moon could not be physically sighted on Tuesday, February 17, as it was calculated to set before sunset—making a valid sighting impossible. Under Islamic convention, if the crescent is absent on the 29th day of the current month, that month runs its full 30-day cycle before the next begins. Sha’ban’s final day therefore falls on Wednesday, February 18, with Ramadan opening the following morning.

Elsewhere in the Gulf, including the UAE, astronomical projections point to the same February 19 date, though those countries are expected to hold final confirmation pending local sightings.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, runs between 29 and 30 days and shifts roughly 11 days earlier each year against the Gregorian calendar. Fasting from dawn to sunset is obligatory for Muslims who have reached puberty and are in good health and represents one of the five pillars of the faith. The month sees a significant rise in community activity, with families gathering nightly for iftar—the meal that breaks the fast at sunset—and many attending Tarawih, the special night prayers held at mosques throughout the month. The pre-dawn meal eaten before fasting begins each day is known as suhoor.

The month concludes with Eid al-Fitr, a three-day celebration provisionally expected around March 20, subject to moon sighting.

Key phrases for Ramadan for the unversed

For those unfamiliar, a short glossary of terms and greetings that will be in wide circulation over the coming weeks:

Ramadan Mubarak and Ramadan Kareem are the standard greetings exchanged at the start of the month, broadly translating to “blessed Ramadan” and “generous Ramadan,” respectively. If someone says “Ramadan Kareem” to you, the traditional response is “Allahu Akram”—”God is more generous.”
As-salamu alaikum: “peace be upon you“—is a general greeting used year-round. The standard reply is Wa alaikum as-salam.
Insha’Allah: meaning “God willing,” is used when discussing plans or future events. Masha’Allah: meaning “what God has willed,” is an expression of appreciation or admiration.
Sayem?: simply meaning “are you fasting?“—is a common check-in between Muslims throughout the month.
Emta el maghrib?: “What time is maghrib?” It refers to the sunset prayer that marks the end of each day’s fast and is one of the most-asked questions of the entire month.
At the end of Ramadan, “Eid Mubarak,” meaning “blessed celebration,” is the greeting exchanged during the Eid al-Fitr festivities that follow.