Saudi Arabia announces start of Ramadan 2026 after crescent sighted
UAE moon-sighting process still underway
DUBAI – Ramadan 2026 will begin on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia after authorities confirmed the sighting of the Ramadan crescent, officially marking the start of the holy month.
Moon-sighting teams reported verified visibility after sunset, and the decision was endorsed through the Kingdom’s official judicial and religious channels.
BREAKING NEWS | The crescent moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia.
— ???????????????????????????????? (@HaramainInfo) February 17, 2026
Therefore, Ramadhān 1447 will begin tonight.
May Allāh ﷻ accept our siyām, qiyām & acts of worship, and may He grant us the ability to utilise the precious moments of this Blessed month to engage in that which… pic.twitter.com/NT5aWd5TiW
The confirmation places the first day of fasting on Wednesday, shifting the calendar earlier than in many countries that had already declared a Thursday start based on non-sighting and astronomical projections.
Ramadan begins in Saudi Arabia
Officials in Saudi Arabia confirmed that the Ramadan crescent for 1447 AH was sighted after sunset, following coordinated observations across multiple observatories and field locations. Moon-sighting teams had been deployed in several regions, including Sudair and Tabuk, with courts and committees receiving testimony from authorised observers.
With the crescent verified, Wednesday has been declared the first day of fasting, and Taraweeh prayers begin Tuesday night. The announcement followed hours of live monitoring and weather assessments across observation points.
Ramadan in UAE?
In the United Arab Emirates, the official moon-sighting process is still under way. The national committee is meeting after Maghrib to review reports from observatories and public submissions before issuing a formal ruling.
Authorities have urged residents to report any credible sightings through approved channels, while astronomical data had earlier suggested visibility would be difficult in most parts of the country. The final decision will determine whether fasting begins Wednesday or Thursday.
Other countries
Several countries had earlier confirmed Thursday, February 19, as the first day of Ramadan after announcing that the crescent was not sighted and Sha’ban would complete 30 days.
These include:
- Oman
- Turkey
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Brunei
- Indonesia
- Japan
- France
- Australia
- Philippines
- Azerbaijan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Uzbekistan
Authorities in these states cited failed crescent sightings and astronomical thresholds as the basis for their decisions.
Countries awaiting confirmation
Several other nations are still waiting for their official moon-sighting committee rulings, with announcements expected after local observation sessions.
- Pakistan: National Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meeting scheduled
- India: 28 Sha’ban confirmed, decision due after next sighting round
- Bangladesh: Crescent search under way through national committee
- Iran: Authorities preparing for official announcement after observation window
Moon-sighting outcomes and differing criteria between physical observation and calculation-based methods continue to produce varied Ramadan start dates across regions this year.