Ramadan 2026 Moon Sighting: Start Dates for Saudi Arabia and India

The holy month of Ramadan in 2026 is poised to commence with anticipation building among Muslims globally. For India, the first day of fasting, or Roza, is expected to fall on either February 19 or February 20, 2026. This determination is contingent upon the sighting of the crescent moon (hilal) on the preceding evenings. The official pronouncement from Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court plays a crucial role, as many Muslim-majority countries often align their Ramadan start dates with its announcement. In Saudi Arabia, the moon sighting is expected on the evening of February 17, 2026. If the crescent moon is sighted on this date, the first day of fasting will be Wednesday, February 18, 2026. However, if visibility is poor or the moon is not sighted due to astronomical factors, Sha'ban (the preceding month) will be completed as 30 days, and Ramadan will then commence on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The method of determining the start of Ramadan relies on the traditional Islamic lunar calendar, which involves the visual sighting of the new crescent moon. This practice is followed across various regions, including India. In India, moon-sighting committees will observe the sky after sunset on the 29th night of Shabaan (which falls on February 18, 2026). If the crescent moon is sighted, Ramadan begins the following day, February 19. If not, Shabaan extends to 30 days, pushing the start of Ramadan to February 20. Astronomical calculations suggest that the new moon will occur on February 17, 2026. However, visual sightings of the crescent moon are more likely to occur on the night of February 18, 2026, across many parts of the world. This means that the first fast will likely begin before dawn on February 19 for many, though some regions might start on February 18 if the crescent is sighted early. The final decision will always depend on local weather conditions and topography affecting visibility. The duration of fasting during Ramadan 2026 is expected to be between 12 to 14 hours daily. This is because the holy month falls close to the spring equinox, resulting in relatively balanced daylight hours globally. As the month progresses towards the end of March, fasting periods might slightly increase in northern latitudes. Ramadan commemorates the period when the first verses of the Holy Qur'an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad, making it one of the most sacred months in Islam. It is a period dedicated to intense prayer, self-reflection, fasting from dawn to sunset, charity, and community gatherings. The nightly prayers known as Taraweeh will commence on the evening of the first day of Ramadan. The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast. For 2026, Eid al-Fitr is anticipated to be celebrated around March 19 or March 20, depending on the sighting of the moon for the month of Shawwal. It is important to note that while astronomical calculations provide a strong indication, the definitive start of Ramadan in most communities is still determined by the physical sighting of the moon. This tradition underscores the blend of scientific understanding and religious observance that guides the Islamic lunar calendar. Notable discrepancies exist in some reports. For instance, some sources indicated an official announcement from Saudi Arabia that Ramadan would begin on February 17 or 18. However, further clarification shows that the moon sighting attempts are on February 17/18, with the first fast expected on February 18 or 19. Turkey and Indonesia have officially announced February 19 as the start date. France has also confirmed February 19 as the start date. Oman has declared February 19 as the start date, stating that February 18 will complete Sha'ban. The article by Mint, which is the primary article for verification, correctly states that Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on February 19 or 20 in India, contingent on moon sighting, and that Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court announcement is key. Other sources largely corroborate these dates and the reliance on moon sighting.

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