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Saudi Arabia on Tuesday officially announced the sighting of the crescent moon, marking the beginning of Ramadan 1447 AH.
With the Hilal confirmed, the holy month of Ramadan will begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, while Taraweeh prayers will be observed after the Isha prayer on Tuesday night.
A post by @Muslim on X stated: “BREAKING: Saudi Arabia announces the first day of fasting for Ramadan to begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
“Taraweeh will begin tonight on the first evening of the blessed month.
“It’s recommended to follow the fasting time designated by your local community and country.”
Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and several other countries are expected to begin fasting at dawn on Wednesday, ushering in a month dedicated to prayer, reflection and devotion.
In Japan, however, Ramadan 2026 will begin on Thursday, February 19, after the Hilal Vision Committee confirmed that the crescent moon was not sighted on Tuesday.
Similarly, Oman, Singapore and Turkey have announced that Thursday, February 19, will mark the first day of Ramadan, in line with their lunar observation processes.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which consists of 12 months and lasts 354 or 355 days. Because it follows the lunar cycle, the start date shifts each year.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory for healthy adult Muslims, with exemptions for children, the sick, travellers, and women who are pregnant, nursing or menstruating.
The sighting of the crescent moon remains a long-standing Islamic tradition used to determine the start of Ramadan as well as the festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
During the holy month, working hours and school schedules are often adjusted in many Muslim-majority countries to allow more time for worship and family activities.
More than 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide are expected to observe the month-long fast from dawn to sunset each day.
