Crescent Moon of Ramadan Not Sighted in Philippines, First Day of Fasting on February 19

The holy month of Ramadan 2026 will officially be observed in the Philippines from Thursday, February 19, after the crescent moon was not sighted during nationwide observations on Tuesday, (February 17). The announcement, made by the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta (BDI), marks the beginning of a month-long period of fasting, prayer, and reflection for millions of Filipino Muslims.

The decision followed a moon-sighting exercise conducted across strategic locations in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and other parts of the country.

n a statement released on Tuesday evening, Bangsamoro Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf A. Guialani confirmed that authorised sighting committees had monitored the horizon until sunset but were unable to observe the new moon (hilal).

“By the authority vested in me as Bangsamoro Mufti, I, Abdulrauf A. Guialani, hereby announce that the crescent moon was not sighted today,” the Mufti declared.

Follow: Ramadan 2026 Moon Sighting Live Updates.

Under Islamic tradition, the inability to sight the moon on the 29th day of the preceding month means the current month, Sha’ban, must be completed as 30 days. Consequently, Wednesday, 18 February, will be the final day of Sha’ban, with the first day of Ramadan fasting beginning at dawn on Thursday.