The Australian Fatwa Council has formally declared the commencement of Ramadan 1447H, with the holy month officially beginning nationwide on Thursday, February 19, 2026. This announcement follows extensive consultations between national imams and religious authorities, establishing a unified timeline for the country’s Muslim community.
Grand Mufti of Australia Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohamad confirmed that while the first daytime fast occurs on Thursday, February 19, the initial nighttime observances including Taraweeh prayers will commence earlier, on Wednesday evening (February 18) following sunset and the Isha prayer. This distinction between daytime and nighttime rituals reflects the precise astronomical calculations governing the Islamic lunar calendar.
The Council’s determination followed meticulous examination of celestial patterns, noting that on Tuesday, February 17, sunset in Sydney would occur at 7:45 PM AEST while the new moon would emerge later that evening at 11:01 PM. With the new moon’s appearance occurring after sunset across all Australian time zones, religious authorities confirmed Ramadan could not begin on February 17, instead setting the following evening for formal commencement.
Australian Islamic authorities acknowledged potential variations in observance methods among different scholarly traditions while emphasizing the importance of community unity and mutual respect during the holy period. Dr. Abu Mohamad issued a special message encouraging Muslims to dedicate Ramadan to spiritual practices including fasting, prayer, and supplication, with particular emphasis on seeking peace for conflict-affected regions including Gaza.
The Grand Mufti concluded with blessings for Australian Muslims and the global Islamic community, expressing hopes for accepted worship and meaningful observance throughout the sacred month.