While most of the world began observing Ramazan on February 18 and 19, Fiji and New Zealand will start the holy month on February 20 after the Ramazan crescent was not sighted on the evening of Wednesday, February 18, corresponding to the 29th of Shaban.

The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) and the Fiji Muslim League announced that Thursday, February 19, will mark the completion of Shaban, with Friday, February 20, being observed as the first day of Ramazan.

Authorities clarified that, according to astronomical calculations, New Zealand and Fiji do not fall within regions from which the crescent could be sighted, whether with the naked eye or using telescopes.

The local sighting tradition guided the announcement of Ramazan start date in both countries.

Globally, the first day of the fasting month fell on February 18 in countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Sudan.

Other countries, such as Oman, Brunei, India, Pakistan, and Egypt, began fasting on February 19.

Muslims in Fiji and New Zealand will therefore observe Ramazan a day later than most of the international Muslim community, following local religious authorities’ guidance.