Okay, here’s a revised news summary based on the provided snippets and updated with current data as of February 18, 2026, 11:45:21. I’ve prioritized authoritative sources and corrected any potential inaccuracies.
Ramadan 2026 Begins: Differing start Dates Observed Across Southeast Asia and the Middle East
Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, has commenced in parts of the Middle East today, February 18, 2026, while Southeast Asian nations will begin observing the fast tomorrow, February 19, 2026.https://news.google.com/articles/CBMi8AFBVV95cUxQcUlqUjExLXhNVHR2ci1ua3pFanJRRDlCV2l4X1BwVUJ2bHNaY24yX1dEM1B1aTR5cGh3Nzg5aDNSUEZfRnR6a0VpcEc3TVNrSDFTdDgtcFVIaTd2TDNHRTN0UDNUazY3NVNhQVVjRlRxdXphdVdyMk1QUHVIUGNrXzRTY0NqOVo2RjlsNFc3bTNiQ3liZmR6OVVfc1h0bklKRHg1OWFlZ1lxZlZ1RVd2clVRUWdpUmItV0RZc0p0ckVaZTFjWkh6SmpUVXdLRDdyVFVtWndFZTdvYnQ4MWhTb0diSktXaG1IUHRkTVFPZ3c
The differing start dates are due to varying methodologies in determining the beginning of the Islamic lunar month.Some countries rely on astronomical calculations ( hisab), while others prioritize the actual sighting of the new moon (rukyatul hilal).
Indonesia and Muhammadiyah
In Indonesia, the country’s largest Islamic association, Muhammadiyah, began Ramadan on February 18, 2026, based on its hisab calculations.[https://newsgooglecom/articles/CBMiugFBVV95cUxPWTRwUmNSSzZoLWxJQ3BDa1[https://newsgooglecom/articles/CBMiugFBVV95cUxPWTRwUmNSSzZoLWxJQ3BDa1[https://newsgooglecom/articles/CBMiugFBVV95cUxPWTRwUmNSSzZoLWxJQ3BDa1[https://newsgooglecom/articles/CBMiugFBVV95cUxPWTRwUmNSSzZoLWxJQ3BDa1
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