Ramadan 2026: Crescent Moon Sighting Updates Across the Globe

Feb 17, 2026

75 min

Feb 17, 2026 14:30

Ramadan 2026 in UAE: Crescent moon sighting and announcements worldwide

## UAE Prepares for Ramadan Moon Sighting

The United Arab Emirates is gearing up for the traditional crescent moon sighting to officially determine the start of Ramadan 2026. Astronomical predictions suggest the holy month may begin on February 18 or 19, but the exact date will depend on local observations.

## Global Announcements

Several countries have already announced their Ramadan start dates. The Philippines, Oman, Japan, Indonesia, Turkey, Malaysia, and Singapore have declared February 19 as the first day of Ramadan, following unsuccessful attempts to sight the crescent moon.

## Saudi Arabia's Preparations

In Saudi Arabia, preparations are underway for the crescent sighting, with the Supreme Court urging citizens to participate. Observations are set to take place at the Tabuk Observatory, the last region in the Kingdom where the sun sets.

## Other Countries Awaiting Confirmation

Iran, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh are expected to announce their Ramadan start dates soon, with the first day likely to be February 19 or 20, depending on local moon sightings.

## Weather Conditions

The UAE is experiencing dusty weather with rising temperatures, which may affect visibility during the moon sighting. Similar conditions are reported in Saudi Arabia, where authorities are closely monitoring the skies.

## Importance of Moon Sighting

The Islamic calendar is lunar, and the start of Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the new moon. This can lead to variations in the start date across different regions, as some rely on local sightings while others consider global observations or astronomical calculations.

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