Simply In: Crescent Moon Sighted In Saudi Arabia As Fasting Begins Wednesday
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon, signalling the beginning of Ramadan 1447.
Following the affirmation of the Hilal, the holy month of Ramadan will begin on Wednesday, with Taraweeh prayers scheduled to carry after the Isha prayer tonight.
A put up by @Muslim on X learn, “BREAKING: Saudi Arabia broadcasts the primary day of fasting for Ramadan to start on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
“Taraweeh will start tonight on the primary night of the blessed month.
“It’s beneficial to comply with the fasting time designated by your area people and nation.”
Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and a number of other different international locations will observe their first quick at daybreak on Wednesday, marking the beginning of a month dedicated to prayer, reflection and non secular dedication.
Nonetheless, in Japan, Ramadan 2026 will start on Thursday, February 19, because the Hilal Imaginative and prescient Committee confirmed the crescent moon was not sighted.
Muslims throughout the nation are set to start their first quick on Thursday, heralding the beginning of the holy month of fasting and prayer.
In the meantime, Oman, Singapore, and Turkey have formally declared Thursday, February 19, as the primary day of Ramadan 2026.
The choice adopted the non-sighting of the crescent moon, in accordance with their conventional lunar remark practices. Muslims in these international locations will start fasting on Thursday because the holy month of Ramadan begins.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which consists of 12 months and spans 354 or 355 days. Since it’s primarily based on the lunar cycle, the beginning date of Ramadan varies every year.
Fasting throughout Ramadan is without doubt one of the 5 pillars of Islam and is compulsory for wholesome grownup Muslims. Exemptions, nonetheless, apply to younger kids, the sick, vacationers, and ladies who’re pregnant, nursing, or menstruating.
The sighting of the crescent moon is a long-established custom used to mark the beginning of Ramadan in addition to the most important Islamic celebrations of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Throughout Ramadan, working hours and college schedules are sometimes lowered in lots of Muslim-majority international locations to supply extra time for worship and household actions.
Over 1.8 billion Muslims all over the world are anticipated to watch each day fasting from dawn to sundown all through the month of Ramadan.