Holy Month of Ramadan to Begin Tomorrow After Crescent Moon Sighting in Saudi Arabia
Muslim communities worldwide are preparing to welcome the sacred month of Ramadan after the crescent moon marking the beginning of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar was officially sighted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday evening.
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia announced that credible moon sighting observers across the Kingdom confirmed the appearance of the Ramadan crescent, following sunset on February 17, 2026. As a result, Wednesday, 18 February 2026, will be observed as the first day of Ramadan 1447 AH, with fasting beginning at dawn.
In line with Islamic tradition, moon-sighting committees and witnesses played a key role in the verification process, as local authorities and worshippers looked to the western sky after Maghrib (sunset) to spot the hilal, or new moon.
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic year, marked by daily fasting from dawn (Suhoor) until sunset (Iftar), increased prayer, spiritual reflection, and acts of charity. The confirmation from Saudi Arabia traditionally influences observances in many Muslim-majority countries, though some communities follow their own local sightings or religious criteria.
Several neighbouring Gulf states — including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar — have also reported confirmed crescent sightings, aligning their first day of fasting with Saudi Arabia on February 18.
Muslims in countries such as Nigeria and across Africa, Asia and Europe will now complete their final preparations for Ramadan, with many mosques scheduling special evening Taraweeh prayers to begin on Tuesday night.
The exact end of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr will be determined later this month based on the sighting of the next crescent marking the start of Shawwal.