According to astronomical calculations reported by ArabiaWeather, the sighting of the lunar crescent marking the start of the month of Ramadan 1448 AH should take place in the evening of Saturday, February 6, 2027, corresponding to 29 Sha’ban.
However, the available data indicate that the sighting of the crescent should be impossible that evening in Saudi Arabia as well as in several Arab and Muslim countries.
On what date should Ramadan 2027 begin?
In Mecca, the Moon is expected to set at 18:07, Saudi time, about six minutes before sunset, scheduled for 18:13.
Meanwhile, the Moon’s central conjunction, corresponding to the new Moon, should occur at 15:56 GMT, i.e., 18:56 in Saudi Arabia.
The conjunction would thus occur about 43 minutes after sunset in Mecca.
A crescent sighting deemed impossible on February 6
According to these astronomical parameters, the Moon will have already set before the conjunction occurs.
This configuration means that the sighting of the Ramadan crescent on the evening of Saturday, February 6, 2027 should not be possible in Saudi Arabia and in many Arab and Muslim countries.
Monday, February 8 as the probable date
Based on these data, it is therefore expected that Saudi Arabia, as well as several countries applying the rule of completing the month of Sha’ban to 30 days when the crescent is not visible, will set Monday, February 8, 2027 as the first day of Ramadan.
The official date will, however, remain dependent on announcements by the competent religious authorities in each country after the lunar crescent sighting operation.
