The UAE and Saudi Arabia are nearly on the verge of the Ramadan season, and they are encouraging people to observe the sky. On a Tuesday evening of February 17, all Muslims in the region will be participating in the customary sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon. This day marks the actual onset of the holy month. This is a traditional ceremony that involves governments, scholars, and even ordinary inhabitants.
UAE & Saudi Arabia Welcome Community To Participate In Ramadan Crescent Sighting
When Will UAE Witness Ramadan 2026m Moon Sighting?
In the UAE, this is the mandate of the UAE Council of Fatwa, which has established that the Ramadan Crescent Moonsighting Committee will convene on the 17th day of February 2026.
The gathering will be held in Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi, at 6 pm, which will be after the Maghrib prayer. A report by Gulf News indicated that the Council has again urged people to be involved by reminding people that the tradition of moon sighting is a prophetic one based on collective responsibility.
The committee will be headed by Sheikh Abdullah bin Sheikh Al Mahfouz bin Bayyah and Dr Omar Habtoor Al Darei in attendance.
The Decision-Making Process In The UAE
The committee examines field reports of accredited observatories throughout the country, as well as confirmed testimonies of people.
It is possible to report about the sighted crescent through the official online website of the Council by those residents who are sure that they saw it. The submissions are evaluated on a rigid religious and procedural basis. When the committee is done with the review, Ramadan will officially begin based on the authorised government channels. The single official body with regard to the moon sighting in the UAE is the Council, and therefore, the announcements are unified and clear.
Saudi Arabia Answers With Its Call To Observe
Saudi Arabia has also encouraged the Muslims throughout the kingdom to observe the crescent moon on Tuesday night on the 29 th day of Shaaban during the Islamic year 1447.
According to the Supreme Court, Ramadan will start on Wednesday if the crescent is seen. Otherwise, Shaaban will end on 30 days, and Ramadan will begin on Thursday.
Also Read: Ahead Of Ramadan 2026, Abu Dhabi Finishes Citywide Preparations; Details Inside
What Astronomy Tells Us of The Most Plausible Start Date
Here’s Where Science Steps In
Astronomical evidence indicates that the possibility of seeing the crescent on Tuesday evening will be very low throughout the region, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt will not be an exception. That day, the moon will rise prior to the sun, and the gap in between will be less than the Danjon limit, and hence they cannot see it.
An annular solar eclipse that took place later that day further proves this alignment as a rare one.
Due to this, nations that follow confirmed sighting are likely to fill up Shaaban to 30 days. That is why the first day of Ramadan in the UAE is most likely to be on Thursday, February 19. Using other criteria, some countries might start a day before.
Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/cocoparisienne from pixabay
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