Ramadan 2026 Moon Sighting Updates: The anticipation surrounding Ramadan 2026 has reached its peak as Muslims across the world await the official sighting of the crescent moon that marks the beginning of the sacred month. The moon-sighting committees, together with religious authorities and astronomical organizations from multiple countries are watching the sky to make public announcements after they complete their sunset observations.
Ramadan 2026 Moon Sighting Updates
Astronomical calculations together with global predictions indicate that Ramadan 2026 will start on February 19, 2026 because the crescent moon will be visible on the evening of February 18. The first fast will start at dawn the next day if this information is confirmed.
Ramadan will start on February 18 if the moon is sighted before the scheduled time though experts consider this possibility to be unlikely because of current visibility conditions.
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Saudi Arabia Moon Sighting Announcement
Saudi Arabia plays a crucial role in global Ramadan announcements. The Supreme Court of the country has requested citizens and observers to search for the crescent moon on February 17, 2026, at sunset and report their findings to the proper authorities. The next day fasting would start if the moon is confirmed.
Ramadan 2026 in India: Likely Date
In India, Ramadan begins one day after its start time in the Gulf region because people there see the moon differently. Most forecasts suggest Indian Muslims will begin fasting from February 19, 2026, after local moon confirmation on the evening of February 18.
Saudi Arabia has officially confirmed that the crescent moon has been sighted. Ramadan 1447 will begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in the Kingdom.
The Philippine National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) has officially announced that Ramadan in the country will commence on February 19 following confirmation of the lunar calendar observation.
Ramadan begins about 10 to 12 days earlier each year because it follows the Islamic Hijri calendar, which is based on lunar cycles. Since lunar months are either 29 or 30 days long, the holy month moves backward annually in the Gregorian calendar.
Crescent not sighted in Oman as per the traditional process; Iran to confirm Ramadan start based on moon observation tomorrow.
Ramadan Moon Sighting Update: Saudi Arabia is expected to announce its decision on the Ramadan crescent shortly, around Maghrib prayers. Muslims worldwide are awaiting the confirmation to determine the start of fasting, while the Indian subcontinent is likely to sight the moon a day later. Stay tuned for updates.
Japan’s Hilal Vision Committee has confirmed that Thursday, February 19, will mark the start of Ramadan. This notice comes after the failure to sight the crescent moon today.