Ramadan 2026 Moon Sighting Live Updates: Crescent Moon of Ramadan 2026 Sighted in Saudi Arabia, First Day of Fasting on February 18

17 Feb, 26 : 08:29 PM

Crescent Moon of Ramadan 2026 Sighted in Saudi Arabia, First Day of Fasting on February 18

The crescent moon of the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH has been sighted of  began in Saudi Arabia, therefore the first day of Ramzan fasting will began from Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has announced seating the observatories across the Kingdom.

17 Feb, 26 : 08:11 PM

Saudi Arabia Begins Crescent Search Across Observatories, Official Announcement Expected Soon

Astronomers and experts began searching of crescent moon for the month of Ramadan 1447 AH. The moon sighting teams are using various technologies, including AI, this time to predict the exact location of the crescent moon. Chief Astronomer in Sudair Abdullah Al Khudairi prepares his equipment to begin the sighting of the Ramadan 1447 Crescent.

A few minutes to sight the crescent of Ramadan from the Astronomical Observatory in Al-Majma'ah. pic.twitter.com/PD6BC8bX2D

— The Holy Mosques (@theholymosques) February 17, 2026

Al-Akhbariyah correspondent Abdulaziz Al-Muwain from the Al-Hariq Observatory said that the skies are clear, visibility is good, and the observatory is ready to sight the Ramadan crescent.

17 Feb, 26 : 08:04 PM

Sudair Observatory in Saudi Using AI to Predict Location of Crescent

For the first time in decades, the Saudi Arabia observatory Sudair, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to predict the location of the Ramadan crescent moon and observing it with high accuracy. 

For the first time.. Artificial intelligence technologies at Sudair Observatory to facilitate predicting the location of the Ramadan crescent moon and observing it with high accuracy

Via Al-Ikhbariya correspondent Yusuf Al-Humaid pic.twitter.com/RdIYrf12bN

— The Holy Mosques (@theholymosques) February 17, 2026

17 Feb, 26 : 07:53 PM

Ramzan in Oman to Begin From February 19

Oman officialy announed that the first day of Ramadan 1447 AH will began on Thursday, February 19. The  Sultanate of Oman has officially confirmed after the creascent moon of holy month not sighted. 

17 Feb, 26 : 07:45 PM

Tumair Observatory in Saudi to Begin Sighting at 5:51 PM

The astronomical observatory at Majmaah University has prepared to sight the crescent moon of Ramadan 2026. Al-Akhbariyah correspondent Hamad bin Hussein from the Tumair Observatory said that the sighting will begin at 5:51 and the skies are clear and suitable for viewing. The Supreme Court has linked 12 observatories across the Kingdom through a precise technical system.

17 Feb, 26 : 07:40 PM

Japan Announces First Day of Ramadan On February 19 As Crescent Moon Not Sighted

The Crescent Seeing Committee in Japan has officially announced that the holy month of Ramadan will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The decision follows the unsuccessful sighting of the crescent moon on Tuesday evening, confirming that the current Islamic month of Sha'ban will complete its full 30-day cycle.

17 Feb, 26 : 07:21 PM

Countdown to Crescent Sighting in Saudi Arabia Begins as Less Than Hour Remains

The countdown for the sighting of the crescent moon on Ramadan 2026 has already begun in Saudi Arabia's Tumair observatory. According to KSA timings, less than an hour is remaining for the officials to begin searching for the moon. Authorities, including Dr. Abdullah Al-Khudairy, head moon-sighter, have arrived at the Sudair Observatory in Saudi Arabia as they gathered to prepare for the annual event at the observatory. 

17 Feb, 26 : 07:05 PM

India to Search for Crescent Moon of Ramzan on February 18

India will search for the crescent moon of Ramazan or Ramzan on Wednesday evening, February 18. Today is the 28th of Shaban 1447 AH. The holy month of Ramadan is expected either on Thursday, February 19 or Friday, February 20, depending on moon sightings.

17 Feb, 26 : 06:57 PM

Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to Meet in Peshawar on February 18 for Ramzan Crescent Sighting

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Peshawar on Wednesday, February 18, to sight the Ramadan moon under Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad. If the crescent is seen on Feb 18 (29th Shaban), fasting is likely to begin on Thursday, February 19. 

17 Feb, 26 : 06:41 PM

Senior Scholar Sheikh Abdullah Al-Munī Says Two Minutes Between Sunset and Moonset May Allow Crescent Sighting

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Munī, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars, said that there will be a passage of two minutes when the crescent moon of Ramadan 2026 is likely to be sighted. 

Member of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Munī‘:

“There are two minutes between sunset and moonset during which the sighting of the crescent may be possible.” https://t.co/rFo6wgDuhp

— 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@HaramainInfo) February 17, 2026

“There are two minutes between sunset and moonset during which the sighting of the crescent may be possible,” said Sheikh Abdullah Al-Munī.

17 Feb, 26 : 06:32 PM

Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines To Begin Ramzan Fasting on February 19

Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines will begin Ramadan from Thursday, February 19, as the crescent moon of Ramadan not sighted on Tuesday. 

17 Feb, 26 : 06:22 PM

Turkey To Mark February 19 as First Day of Ramzan as Crescent Noon Not Sighted

The government of Turkey has announced that the country will observe its first fast for the holy month of Ramadan 2026 on Thursday, February 19 as the crescent moon was not sighted.  

17 Feb, 26 : 06:17 PM

Hawtat Sudair and Tumair in Al-Majma’ah Set To Observe Crescent

The two observatories in Saudi Arabia will observe the crescent moon of Ramadan on Tuesday evening, February 17, with the naked eye. According to the Haramain, Abdullah Al-Khudairi and Mutab Al-Barghash, along with other experts, will search for the moon with the naked eye. 

This will be observed as per the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Sunnah. The Kingdom has always followed the Sunnah despite astronomical technologies, astronomical studies and specialised instruments.

17 Feb, 26 : 06:08 PM

Ramazan in Philippines to Begin on February 19 After Crescent Moon Not Sighted

The Bangsamoro Darul Ifta’ has announced that Ramadan 2026 for Muslims in the Philippines will begin on Thursday, February 19. According to Bangsamoro Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani, the crescent moon was not sighted this evening (February 17).

This follows moon-sighting activities conducted in various locations across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and other parts of the country.

17 Feb, 26 : 06:00 PM

Dusty Weather in UAE Ahead of Crescent Sighting

Dusty weather was reported in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday, February 17, ahead of the sighting of the crescent moon for the holy month of Ramadan 2026, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), reported by Gulf News. 

The weather department forecasted a possible chance of rainfall across northern areas of the UAE today as the its witness partly cloudy during the afternoon. 

17 Feb, 26 : 05:52 PM

Crescent Moon of Ramadan Not Sighted in Singapore; First Day of Fasting on February 19

The crescent moon of Ramadan or Ramazan has not been sighted in Singapore; therefore, Mufti has announced that Thursday will be the first day of the holy month and will observe the first fast. 

17 Feb, 26 : 05:44 PM

Annular Eclipse Will Not Affect Sighting Crescent, Says KSA Moon-Sighter Abdullah Al-Khudairi

Saudi Arabia (KSA) month sighter Abdullah Al-Khudairi said that the annular eclipse will not affect the possibility of sighting the crescent moon of the holy month of Ramadan.

For the first time, modern technologies will be used at the Sudair Observatory to sight the crescent of Ramadan.

Moon-sighter “Abdullah Al-Khudairi”:

The annular eclipse does not affect the possibility of sighting the crescent of Ramadan. pic.twitter.com/Y0BJ8tQcXI

— 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@HaramainInfo) February 17, 2026

According to Haramain, for the first time, modern technologies will be used at the Sudair Observatory to sight the crescent of Ramadan 1447 AH.

17 Feb, 26 : 05:36 PM

Philippine Supreme Court Announces Holiday on February 18 on First Day of Ramzan

Philippine Supreme Court on Tuesday announced holiday on the first day of Ramadan 2026 that is on Wednesday,  February 18. The court issued an statement on X confirming the suspension of work tomorrow on the commencement of the holy month. 

WORK SUSPENSION: All first-level courts in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte suspend work on February 18, 2026 in observance of the commencement of the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadhan.

The courts shall have sufficient staff members to act on urgent requests for bail, orders of… pic.twitter.com/ljOevOjLD3

— Philippine Supreme Court Public Information Office (@SCPh_PIO) February 17, 2026

However, the court said that the sufficient staff members will available for urgent hearing the court matters such as bail, orders of release, writs of habeas corpus, and similar urgent reliefs.

17 Feb, 26 : 05:28 PM

Indonesia to Hold Sidang Isbat Press Conference Soon to Announce Crescent Moon Sighting

The Ministry of Religious Affairs in Indonesia will shorty began its annual Sidang Isbat press briefing to announce the sighting of the crescent moon in the country, which will decide the fast day of Ramadan 2026 and the first day of fasting. 

Watch Indonesia Sidang Isbat Press Conference Live Streaming on YouTube

The press conference will be held shortly at Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in the afternoon. The seminar will start at 4.430 PM Western Indonesia Time (WIB). This Isbat session is held behind closed doors at 6:30 PM WIB, and the results are announced through a press conference around 7:05 PM WIB.

17 Feb, 26 : 05:13 PM

Tumair Observatory in Saudi To Records First Moon Sighting Activity Today

Preparations at the new Tumair Observatory were underway on Tuesday, 17 February. The facility will record the first moon sighting for the holy month of Ramadan 2026. It was inaugurated by His Royal Highness Prince Dr Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, according to Haramain, the official X (Twitter) handle of Mecca.

The observatory has been designed as the official site for crescent watchers to gather and sight the lunar moon in line with approved scientific and regulatory standards. Tumair Observatory builds on the city’s long history of observing crescents and stars. The King Abdulaziz Foundation (Darah) notes that residents earlier carried out moon sightings from the western side of the city, taking advantage of its clear skies and good visibility.

The activity has now shifted to the newly developed site, which has been purpose-built as an organised and officially approved observatory. The facility includes dedicated offices for the Crescent Sighting Committee in coordination with the Supreme Court, reception and waiting halls, and an upper-level observation area.

According to Haramain, the Tumair Observatory hosted its first crescent-sighting activity for Ramadan following its recent inauguration. The site has been designated as an official location for observers to gather and sight the lunar crescent as per approved standards.

The crescent-sighting exercise involved both official observers and members of the public interested in moon sighting. The process took place at the new site, which offers a suitable environment with a clear horizon, favourable geography and supporting facilities. This improves the accuracy of observations and meets the required criteria for crescent sighting.

The observatory includes integrated facilities to support crescent watchers, allowing them to gather in one place and conduct observations in an organised setting that serves both religious and scientific purposes.

The observatory was established through a community initiative in partnership between the Ibrahim bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sultan Charitable Foundation and the Riyadh Region Municipality, which executed the project as part of its efforts to support knowledge-based initiatives and improve service facilities across the region. Crescent sighting is carried out by specialised observers, with the observatory serving as their designated site.

The first Ramadan crescent sighting at the Tumair Observatory marks progress toward recognising it as an official location for crescent observation, supporting community service, strengthening observational work and preserving the city’s historical legacy.