The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially announced Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan 1447AH following the sighting of the crescent moon.
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia confirmed on Tuesday that credible testimonies of moon sighting were received from various committees across the country, signalling the commencement of the holy month for Muslims in the Kingdom.
In a statement, the court said the decision was reached after reviewing and verifying reports submitted by authorised moon-sighting committees and trusted witnesses in line with Islamic tradition, which emphasises physical sighting of the crescent as the basis for declaring the new month.
With the announcement, Muslims in Saudi Arabia will begin fasting from dawn to sunset on Wednesday, while the first Taraweeh prayers will be observed after the Isha prayer on Tuesday night.
The development comes amid earlier astronomical projections suggesting that the crescent moon might not be visible in some regions. However, Saudi authorities upheld the traditional method of visual confirmation over astronomical calculations.
Saudi Arabia’s declaration often shapes similar decisions in other Gulf nations. Following the announcement, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait also confirmed Wednesday, February 18, as the first day of Ramadan.
However, some Asian countries, including India and Pakistan, are expected to rely on local moon sightings and may commence fasting a day later, depending on their respective confirmations.
In Nigeria, the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, had yet to make an official pronouncement as of the time of filing this report.
The Sultan had earlier urged Muslims across the country to await an official directive from his office regarding the commencement of Ramadan in Nigeria.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, prayer, reflection and charity.
