Jan.20 to mark the start of Sha'ban, says International Astronomy Center

The International Astronomy Center (IAC) has announced that Tuesday, (January 20, 2026), would mark the start of the month of Sha'ban.

According to Eng. Mohammed Shawkat Odeh, Director of the International Astronomy Center, Islamic countries closely monitor the sighting of the Sha'ban crescent moon as they prepare for the holy month of Ramadan.

On Sunday, Jan.18, 2026, which aligns with the 29th day of Rajab 1447 AH in many Islamic nations, observing the Sha'ban crescent will be impossible across the Islamic world since the moon is expected to set before the sun.

As a result, these countries will complete Rajab as a 30-day month, making Tuesday, January 20th, the first day of Sha'ban.

He explained that while the 29th of Rajab will fall on Monday, Jan.19, in several Islamic countries such as Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, and Albania, the crescent of Sha’ban could be observed using a telescope in most Islamic nations on the same day.

However, he noted that spotting the crescent with a telescope would be particularly challenging in regions like Australia, Europe, Asia, and East Africa.

He went on to mention that it becomes relatively easier to sight the crescent with a telescope in central, western, and southern parts of the African continent as well as certain areas of the Americas. The crescent would be clearly visible to the naked eye only in central parts of the Americas.

Thus, it's anticipated that most of these countries will commence the month of Sha’ban on Tuesday, Jan.20. However, in some of them, the first day of Sha’ban is likely to be observed on Wednesday, Jan.21.