While Saudi Arabia starts on Wednesday, Algeria and Tunisia have declared Thursday the official start – Morocco is following its traditional moon sighting.
Rabat – The fasting month of Ramadan in 2026 (Hijra year 1447) is imminent. For the people of the Maghreb region, this month marks a time of spiritual reflection and community. But like every year, determining the exact date leads to a differentiated map of the start of fasting, which is shaped by geographical conditions and different observation traditions.
Algeria and Tunisia set official start date
This Tuesday evening, the religious authorities in Morocco’s neighboring countries created facts. In Algeria, the Ministry of Religious Affairs announced that the first day of fasting will fall on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Since the crescent moon could not be seen locally on Tuesday evening, the month of Shaban is completed to 30 days.
At the same time, the Mufti of the Republic in Tunisia announced an identical decision. Ramadan will officially begin there on Thursday too. This means that there is agreement in the central Maghreb about the timing of the holy month. In contrast, countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar are orienting themselves towards an earlier sighting and starting as early as Wednesday, February 18th.
Morocco’s meticulous tradition of moon sighting
The Kingdom of Morocco also plays a special role this year. According to Le Site Info reports, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs is relying on its valued network of observation posts. The official sighting of the crescent moon (Al Hilal) could take place in Morocco on the evening of February 17th.
Astronomers like Hicham El Aissaoui predict that Morocco will join its immediate neighbors and start Ramadan on Thursday, February 19th. This synchronicity in the Maghreb is often the result of the strict Moroccan criteria that require physical sighting with the naked eye. Interestingly, this date coincides with the decision of the Coordination Council of Muslims in Germany, which also announced the start of fasting on Thursday.
Economic preparations and logistical hurdles
Ramadan is also a driver for the local economy in North Africa. The supply increases, as does consumption, but often so do the prices for the specialties that are particularly popular during Ramadan.
At the same time, the celebrations are accompanied by logistical challenges. Shipping traffic between Tarifa and Tangier was temporarily suspended due to adverse weather conditions. Such information is essential for the Moroccan diaspora traveling home for the month of fasting.
Social context and social solidarity
Beyond abstinence, the social component is at the heart of Ramadan. In Tunisia, the government has already launched an aid program worth over 23 million euros to support families in need during the month. These state and private expressions of solidarity underline the character of Ramadan as a time to strengthen social cohesion across the Maghreb region.
Source:
maghreb-post.de
