Moonsighting
Guidance from the Prophet ﷺ
Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s messenger as saying, “Do not fast till you see the new moon, and do not break your fast till you see it; but if the weather is cloudy calculate when it should appear.” In a version he said, “The month consists of twenty-nine days, but do not fast till you see it, and if the weather is cloudy wait till thirty days of the previous month have passed.”
— (Bukhari & Muslim)
Current Moonsighting Status
Ramadan 1447
Moon phase: New Crescent
Official Announcement
Based on the possibility of sighting the moon (Imkan Ar Ru'ya) in our shared night region, the United Islamic Organizations of Aotearoa are pleased to announce that the Holy Month of Ramadan will commence on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
The Board wishes all Muslims a blessed Ramadan. May Allah accept our fasting, prayers, and good deeds.
رمضان مبارك
Ramadan Mubarak
The Criteria for New Zealand
We have adopted the "Imkan al-Ru'yah" (Possibility of Sighting) method. This respects the Prophet's text by ensuring the moon is capable of being seen, while using science to verify that capability with certainty.
1. The Parameters:
Based on the resolutions of the Istanbul Conferences, and certified by the European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR) and the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA), the month begins if the following conditions are met at sunset on the 29th day:
Conjunction (Birth)
The new moon must be born before sunset.
Moonset after Sunset
The moon must set after the sun.
Minimum Altitude
The moon must be at least 5 degrees above the horizon. If the moon is lower than 5 degrees, it is increasingly obscured by the brightness of twilight near the horizon.
Minimum Elongation
The angle between the sun and moon must be at least 8 degrees. This determines the thickness of the crescent's illuminated arc.
2. The Geographical Scope (Shared Night):
To ensure accuracy and connect New Zealand with its immediate Muslim neighbors, we adopt a Regional Scope. If the scientific criteria above are met at ANY of the cities within the following regions, the month begins for us:
Want to Learn More?
Read our comprehensive Fatwa on Lunar Month Determination for detailed Islamic legal proofs and scholarly references.
Read the Full Fatwa Frequently Asked Questions