People all over the world are getting ready for Ramadan 1447 AH. They look up at the crescent moon (Hilal) in the sky to see it. This is the start of the holy month of prayer, fasting, and thinking. Ramadan starts on different days in different countries and places. People in different places should be able to see the new moon at different times.
In Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Region, it will be Monday, February 17 at night
People in Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will probably see the crescent moon for Ramadan 2026 first on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, just after sunset when the sky in the west gets dark. After the Maghrib prayer, which is the prayer that takes place at sunset, local officials and moon-sighting groups will look up at the sky to see if they can see the first moon.If this is true on February 17, the first day of fasting could start as early as Wednesday, February 18, in these areas. Later that night, after the sightings have been confirmed, religious councils and groups that look for the moon will make official announcements.
India: Wednesday, February 18, at night
The crescent moon will be visible in different parts of India between 6:15 PM and 6:45 PM IST on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The sun will have set, and the sky will be dark enough to see the thin crescent moon.When the sun goes down, people and Islamic groups in the area will look to the west. If people can see the moon on February 18, the first day of fasting in India will likely be on Thursday, February 19. If you can’t see the moon, Sha’ban will end in 30 days and Ramadan will start on February 20.
A First Look at the Gulf, Dubai, and the UAE
People in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries look for the moon at the same time as people in Dubai and the rest of the UAE. People believe they will see the crescent on February 17. If they do, Ramadan will begin on February 18. After the sun goes down on that day, it is expected that official moon-sighting committees will make announcements.
People in different parts of the world do and see things at different times
It’s not enough to just do math to figure out when Ramadan starts; you also have to see the new crescent moon in person. This means that the date might not be the same in all countries. Some countries do what they think is best for their own people, while others might listen to what their neighbors have to say.At sunset, people have always gone to the tops of buildings, open fields, or mosque courtyards to see the crescent. When Muslims see the moon, they wish each other “Ramadan Mubarak.” Then they get ready to fast for the whole month, from before dawn (Sehri) to after sunset (Iftar).As soon as they see the Hilal, Muslims all over the world are ready to start Ramadan with devotion and spiritual focus. Moon-sighting groups are still waiting for official announcements.
