As the world approaches the holy month of Ramadan in 2026, Muslims everywhere are preparing for a period of fasting, prayer, and reflection that will begin on either February 18 or 19. The precise start date, as always, hinges on the sighting of the crescent moon—a tradition that blends ancient religious practice with modern astronomical science, and that still unites diverse communities across continents in anticipation and devotion.
According to Al Jazeera, Ramadan is set to commence on February 18 or 19 this year, depending on when the crescent moon is first sighted. This variability is a hallmark of the Islamic calendar, which is based on lunar cycles. Each Islamic month lasts either 29 or 30 days, and the year is about 10 to 12 days shorter than the solar Gregorian calendar. As a result, Ramadan shifts earlier each year, cycling through all seasons over a 33-year period. Notably, in 2030, Ramadan will occur twice—once in January and again at the end of December, a rare occurrence that highlights the unique rhythm of the lunar calendar.
For nearly 90 percent of the world’s Muslim population living in the Northern Hemisphere, fasting hours in 2026 will be relatively short—about 12 to 13 hours on the first day, gradually increasing as the month progresses. Meanwhile, Muslims in the Southern Hemisphere, in places like Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa, will experience longer fasts, starting at around 14 to 15 hours and decreasing as the days pass. This global variation in fasting hours is a direct result of the timing of Ramadan during the winter months in the north and summer in the south, as detailed by Al Jazeera.
The process of determining the start of Ramadan is both spiritual and scientific. As Egypt Today reports, the crescent moon marking the beginning of Ramadan will be born immediately after conjunction at 2:02 PM Cairo local time on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. In Islam, the new month is declared only after two conditions are met: the crescent must have been born at least four hours before sunset, and it must remain visible above the horizon for no less than five minutes. "In Islam, a day begins at sunset and lasts until sunset of the following day," explained Amir Hussein Hassan, a professor at Egypt’s National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics. Some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, adhere strictly to the traditional practice of naked-eye moon sightings, while others rely on astronomical calculations to guide their decisions.
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has already called on Muslims across the kingdom to look for the crescent moon on the evening of February 17. As reported by Arab News, the court issued a statement urging anyone who sights the crescent—whether with the naked eye or binoculars—to report their observation to the nearest court and formally register their testimony. Local authorities are prepared to assist those wishing to participate in this time-honored tradition.
However, this year’s moon sighting comes with an unusual safety warning. The International Astronomical Centre (IAC) in Abu Dhabi has cautioned the public against using telescopes or binoculars to observe the crescent on February 17. The reason? The crescent moon will appear extremely close to the sun at sunset across much of the Arabian Peninsula, coinciding with a solar eclipse. As the IAC warned, "pointing telescopes or binoculars toward objects near the sun without certified solar filters could cause serious eye injury, including temporary or permanent vision loss." Professional observatories, they note, only conduct such observations with strict safety protocols and specialized filters. The message from the IAC is clear: exercise caution and avoid risking your eyesight for the sake of tradition.
In the United Arab Emirates, the official moon-sighting committee will convene at Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi at 6pm on February 17, under the leadership of Sheikh Abdullah bin Sheikh Mahfouz bin Bayyah, chairman of the Emirates Fatwa Council. The committee has invited residents and citizens to participate, and anyone who sights the crescent is encouraged to call a dedicated hotline to report their observation. If the crescent is seen, Ramadan will begin on Wednesday, February 18; if not, it will begin on Thursday, February 19. This process underscores the communal spirit and sense of shared responsibility that characterizes Ramadan across the Muslim world, as described by The National.
In Pakistan, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and its provincial counterparts will meet on the 29th of Sha‘ban to review crescent sighting reports. The Pakistan Meteorological Department predicts that the new moon will be born on February 17 at about 5:01 p.m. local time, and weather conditions on the following evening are expected to be favorable for sighting. As Morocco World News explains, the official start of fasting in Pakistan will only be announced after confirmation from these committees, reflecting the country’s adherence to both religious tradition and scientific guidance. Ramadan in Pakistan is marked by deep spirituality and community, with families gathering for sehri (the pre-dawn meal) and iftar (the evening meal), mosques hosting nightly Taraweeh prayers, and widespread charitable activities such as public food drives and free iftar stalls for those in need. The month will last 29 or 30 days, with Eid al-Fitr expected around March 21, depending on the sighting of the next crescent.
Throughout the Muslim world, Ramadan is a time of heightened devotion, self-discipline, and communal solidarity. Muslims fast daily from dawn until sunset, abstaining not only from food and drink, but also from smoking and other physical needs. The fast is broken each evening with iftar, often beginning with dates and water, and the day begins with suhoor, the pre-dawn meal. In many Gulf countries, working hours for public and private sector employees are reduced to accommodate the rigors of fasting and the increased focus on worship.
One of the most spiritually significant nights of Ramadan is Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Power, traditionally celebrated on the 27th night of the month. It is believed to be the night when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, and acts of worship performed on this night are said to be more valuable than a thousand months of devotion.
Ramadan is also a time of greetings and well-wishes, with Muslims exchanging phrases such as "Ramadan Mubarak" and "Ramadan Kareem," wishing each other a blessed and generous month. These greetings, shared in many languages across the globe, reinforce the sense of unity and shared purpose that defines this sacred period.
As the crescent moon is watched for across deserts, cities, and villages from Morocco to Indonesia, the anticipation for Ramadan 2026 is palpable. Whether determined by the naked eye, astronomical calculation, or a mixture of both, the start of Ramadan remains a moment of profound significance—one that connects Muslims of every background in a centuries-old tradition of faith, reflection, and community.