Tonight, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, is a critical moment for Muslims Saudi Arabia In much of the Islamic world, official new moon sightings will determine the beginning of the new moon. Ramadan 1447 AH (2026). Saudi authorities, including Supreme Courtpublicly urged Muslims across the kingdom to look for the faint crescent moon during Fajr prayer or after sunset and to report any sightings to local courts or moon viewing committees.In the traditional Islamic calendar, the new moon (in this case Ramadan) begins only when the elongated crescent moon (hilal) appears in the night sky. If tonight’s sighting is confirmed, the first day of the fast will be announced on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. If the new moon is not seen due to weather conditions, low visibility or astronomical factors, the month of Shaban will complete a full 30 days, pushing the start of Ramadan to Thursday, February 19.This annual ceremony blends science and technology, religious traditions and community involvement. Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court stressed that eyewitness accounts, whether with the naked eye or simply optically aided, should be registered and shared immediately so that official announcements can be made immediately.
Why the 2026 Ramadan new moon observations are so exciting
Saudi Arabia’s announcement comes as millions of Muslims around the world prepare for Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and one of the five pillars of Islam. Ramadan is a time of fasting from dawn to sunset, increased prayer, spiritual reflection, charity and community gatherings.Since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, i.e. based on the phases of the moon rather than the sun, the exact start of Ramadan is not determined solely by the date, but by the visible crescent moon. This makes moongazing a deeply symbolic shared experience. It is a time when families, mosques and communities across the Kingdom and beyond turn their eyes to the horizon in collective anticipation.
Will Ramadan start tomorrow? Saudi moon sighting could change everything tonight (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
Saudi Arabia’s call echoes similar statements in other parts of the Muslim world, where national lunar observation committees and astronomical observatories are preparing to attempt to observe the moon tonight. On the other hand, the Indian Moon Observation Committee is scheduled to meet after sunset on Wednesday to review the reports and determine whether the new moon was observed.Interestingly, while tonight’s sighting will mark the official start of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia, scientific and astronomical forecasts indicate that the new moon may be difficult to see with the naked eye in many locations due to its proximity to the sun at sunset. Some experts have noted that the angular distance between the sun and moon may be below the threshold generally considered necessary for a visible new moon, meaning many astronomers do not expect to see the sun and moon tonight, and the fasting begins on February 19th.In fact, preliminary astronomical data from independent observatories such as the Al-Afak Astronomical Organization suggests that the new moon may become more easily visible on the night of February 18, making Thursday, February 19, likely to be the official start of Ramadan in many countries, including Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries.Across the region, moon viewing committees in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Turkey and other places are also preparing for sunset observations, and many media reports and expert predictions agree that the first fast is likely to begin on the 19th.
Ramadan New Moon Observations 2026: Global Community Synchronized or Slightly Staggered)
Subtle differences in observing the moon mean that different countries sometimes start Ramadan on different days, depending on local sky conditions and decisions by religious authorities. For example:
- Oman and Türkiye Based on astronomical principles and preliminary observation conditions, Thursday, February 19, 2026, has been predicted to be the first day of Ramadan.
- in indiaMuslims traditionally follow local astronomical forecasts or announcements from Saudi Arabia and local mosques; many expect to fast from February 19, but some communities fast a day earlier if they see the new moon.
- Likewise, in United Arab EmiratesTonight, a committee meeting to observe the moon is expected to make its own ruling on when Ramadan will begin.
These variations are typical of the lunar calendar tradition: while religious authorities strive for uniform pronouncements, actual visibility conditions often lead to subtle differences between regions.
What happens after seeing the new moon in Ramadan 2026?
Once a confirmed sighting is reported and verified (usually through regional committees and official announcements), the mosque broadcasts the news so that the entire Muslim community can synchronize their calendars. If today’s attempt is successful:
- Wednesday, February 18, 2026, will be declared the first day of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia, and perhaps other regions will also declare the first day of Ramadan following its sightings.
- Starting that morning, Muslims will fast from dawn (suhoor) to sunset (iftar).
- Special night prayers called
Tarawi will begin that night in mosques around the world. - If tonight’s new moon is not observed due to poor visibility, cloud cover or astronomical limitations, the month of Sha’ban will be completed as a 30-day month and Ramadan will begin on the next day, Thursday, February 19.
Despite modern astronomical calculations and predictive models, many Muslim-majority countries still rely on visible lunar sightings as a clear sign of the start of Ramadan. This is because the appearance of the new moon is rooted in the prophetic tradition (Sunnah), where early Muslim communities marked the months by actual observation rather than purely by calculation. The practice fosters community engagement, with families and volunteers scanning the night sky together after sunset. It preserves a spiritual and cultural dimension that transcends astronomical data.Whether Ramadan begins tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, today’s crescent hunt is a reminder of the interplay between tradition, science and communal devotion that has guided Muslims through centuries of lunar observance. On Tuesday night, Muslims will look for the new moon (hilal) that marks the beginning of Ramadan 1447 AH. If it happens, Ramadan will start on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. If Ramadan is not seen, Ramadan will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026, 30 days after the end of Sha’ban. The proclamation set the pace for fasting, prayer and community life across the Muslim world.
