By Ghazali Ibrahim
The crescent moon marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH has been officially sighted in Saudi Arabia, clearing the way for Muslims in the Kingdom to begin fasting from Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
In accordance with traditional Islamic practice, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia and local moon-sighting committees confirmed the visual sighting of the new lunar crescent on the evening of Tuesday, February 17.
That sighting signifies the end of the Islamic month of Sha’ban and the start of Ramadan, a sacred month of dawn-to-sunset fasting, prayer, reflection and charity by Muslims worldwide.
Religious authorities and mosques across the Kingdom prepared for the decision, urging worshippers to attend Taraweeh prayers on Tuesday night after the Isha prayer, a customary practice that marks the beginning of Ramadan observances each year.
Saudi Arabia’s announcement is closely watched by many Muslim communities globally, as several countries traditionally align their calendar with the Kingdom’s official sighting.
In some regions, variations in the start date are expected due to local sighting reports and differences in time zones.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and regarded as the most spiritually important period for Muslims, commemorating the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Throughout the month, those observing Ramadan fast from dawn until sunset while increasing acts of worship, reading of the Quran, and charitable activities.
With the crescent officially sighted, millions of Muslims in Saudi Arabia and in countries that follow the same moon-sighting announcement will begin their Ramadan fasts on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, while others may observe slight variations based on local sightings.
