JUST IN; Saudi Arabia announces start of Ramadan as crescent moon Is sighted
JUST IN; Saudi Arabia announces start of Ramadan as crescent moon Is sighted
Saudi Arabia has formally declared Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, following the successful sighting of the crescent moon.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the crescent moon was visible on Tuesday evening, prompting the kingdom’s official sighting committee to confirm the commencement of Ramadan.
With the announcement, several countries, including Qatar, have also fixed Wednesday, February 18, as the first day of fasting, aligning their observance with Saudi Arabia.
As Ramadan begins, Muslims across Saudi Arabia and other parts of the world are expected to intensify religious activities, particularly evening visits to mosques for isha and the extended Taraweeh prayers.
Taraweeh are special nightly prayers performed exclusively during Ramadan and are a central feature of the holy month.
Beyond prayers, the period places strong emphasis on charity, with Muslims encouraged to increase charitable activities to support people in need.
Ramadan, one of the pillars of Islam and the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, during which Muslims abstain from drinking, eating and smoking.
The holy month also witnesses a surge in Umrah, the lesser Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.
Although Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, many Muslims prefer to undertake it during Ramadan, believing it brings extra blessings from Allah (God).
Thousands, and in some cases millions, of pilgrims including local residents are expected to visit Saudi Arabia during the period.
Saudi Arabia’s declaration is closely watched globally, as several countries, including the United States and Canada, often rely on the kingdom’s announcement to determine when Muslims within their borders will begin observing Ramadan.
