Ramadan Moon Sighting 2026 In Saudi Arabia Live Updates: Check Chand Raat, Ramadan 1447 AH Crescent Tonight

written by Madhuri Adnal Tue Feb 17, 9:04 am Source

International

-Madhuri Adnal

Updated: Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 19:34 [IST]

Ramadan Moon Sighting 2026: Muslim communities worldwide are tracking the Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia as different countries fix their first fasting day. While astronomers say the crescent is impossible to see on 17 February due to an annular solar eclipse, religious bodies and courts across Asia and the Gulf are still relying on traditional visual sighting.

The start of Ramadan, also known as Ramzan or Ramazan, depends on the first visible crescent after Maghrib prayers. If the moon is seen on Tuesday, 17 February, Taraweeh will take place after Isha, and fasting will start on Wednesday, 18 February. If not, Shaban 1447 AH will complete 30 days and fasting will begin on Thursday, 19 February.

Ramadan 2026-ன் பிறை தரிசனம் சவுதி அரேபியாவில் கண்காணிக்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது, சிங்கப்பூர், மலேசியா, இந்தோனேசியா மற்றும் பிலிப்பைன்ஸ் உள்ளிட்ட பல நாடுகள் பிப்ரவரி 19 அன்று நோன்பு ஆரம்பிக்கும் எனத் தெரிவித்துள்ளன; சவுதியில், வானியலாளர்கள் பிறை பார்ப்பது கடினம் என்கின்றனர்.

Ramadan Moon Sighting 2026 In Saudi Arabia Live Updates: Check Chand Raat, Ramadan 1447 AH Crescent Tonight — Photo credit: Inside the Haramain

Astronomers in Saudi Arabia have expressed strong hope that the Ramadan crescent will be sighted this evening. Astronomer Muhammad Al-Thaqafi said that, God willing, Wednesday is expected to be the first day of the blessed month of Ramadan unless unexpected weather conditions affect the religious sighting.

Reports from observatories have also been encouraging. Abdulaziz Al-Muaina from the Hareeq Observatory confirmed that the sun will set at 5:52 PM and that weather conditions are suitable for spotting the crescent. Astronomer Abdullah Al-Khudairi noted that the stages of the annular eclipse will end 25 minutes before sunset and added that atmospheric conditions in Sudair are favorable for viewing. With only about two minutes between sunset and moonset, experts say there is a strong possibility of seeing the Ramadan 1447 AH crescent tonight.

Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia: Countries fixing first fasting day

Singapore has confirmed that the crescent was not visible on 17 February, so the first fast there will be on Thursday, 19 February. Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines are also starting Ramadan on 19 February after officials reported no confirmed moon sighting on Tuesday evening in their territories.

Turkey has already decided that Thursday, 19 February, will mark the first fast for Ramadan 2026, again because the crescent could not be seen. The Bangsamoro Darul Ifta' in the Philippines announced the same date for Muslims in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, following checks at multiple viewing points where no crescent was reported.

Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia: Weather, eclipse and visibility debates

Astronomers earlier assessed that spotting the Ramadan 2026 crescent on 17 February is “impossible” because of the annular solar eclipse. Yet the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia urged people in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and across Gulf states, including the UAE, Oman and Qatar, to attempt sighting with the naked eye or telescopes.

Dusty conditions have been reported in parts of the United Arab Emirates on 17 February, according to the National Centre of Meteorology, quoted by Gulf News. Forecasters expected clouds and a chance of rain over northern areas, which could affect Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia and regional visibility, although observers still planned evening attempts.

Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia: Key Saudi observatories and scholars

Hawtat Sudair and Tumair observatories in Al-Majma'ah are central to the Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia. On Tuesday evening, 17 February, experts including Abdullah Al-Khudairi and Mutab Al-Barghash planned to watch the horizon with the naked eye, in line with the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), despite the availability of advanced instruments.

Member of the Council of Senior Scholars Sheikh Abdullah Al-Munī highlighted a narrow viewing window for the crescent on 17 February. Member of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Munī':"There are two minutes between sunset and moonset during which the sighting of the crescent may be possible." "There are two minutes between sunset and moonset during which the sighting of the crescent may be possible," said Sheikh Abdullah Al-Munī.

Saudi moon-sighter Abdullah Al-Khudairi addressed concerns about the annular eclipse affecting visibility. Moon-sighter "Abdullah Al-Khudairi":The annular eclipse does not affect the possibility of sighting the crescent of Ramadan. pic.twitter.com/Y0BJ8tQcXI— 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@HaramainInfo) February 17, 2026 According to Haramain, modern technology is being deployed for the first time at the Sudair Observatory to aid the Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia.

Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia: Tumair Observatory’s new role

The new Tumair Observatory is recording its first Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia after a recent inauguration by His Royal Highness Prince Dr Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, as reported by Haramain on X. The site replaces earlier informal hilltop viewing spots used by local residents.

The observatory has been purpose-built as an official crescent-watching centre that meets scientific and regulatory standards. It includes offices for the Crescent Sighting Committee in coordination with the Supreme Court, reception and waiting halls, and an elevated viewing area designed to give observers a clear horizon for Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia.

Haramain reports that both official observers and interested members of the public joined the first crescent-sighting session at Tumair for Ramadan 2026. The area was selected for favourable geography, open sky and support facilities that help improve accuracy and meet religious and technical criteria during Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia.

The Tumair facility was created through a community initiative between the Ibrahim bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sultan Charitable Foundation and the Riyadh Region Municipality. Officials say the observatory strengthens organised crescent observation, supports community service and protects Tumair’s long tradition of watching crescents and stars during events like the Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia.

Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia: South and Southeast Asian updates

In India, religious authorities will attempt to sight the Ramadan crescent on Wednesday evening, 18 February. Tuesday is the 28th of Shaban 1447 AH in India, so the first fast is expected on either Thursday, 19 February, or Friday, 20 February, depending on confirmed results of the regional Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia and local observations.

Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is scheduled to meet in Peshawar on Wednesday, 18 February, under Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad. If the moon is seen on the 29th of Shaban, fasting is expected to start on Thursday, 19 February, aligning Pakistan’s timetable more closely with the wider Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries.

Bangladesh’s national moon sighting committee is due to meet on 18 February to review reports and declare the country’s start date for Ramadan 2026. The meeting will consider local testimony as well as updates from Gulf and Southeast Asian authorities, many of whom are already aligning their calendars with the Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia.

Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia: Indonesia Sidang Isbat and court holiday

Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs is holding its annual Sidang Isbat to decide the fasting start date, in parallel with the Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia. The closed-door session begins at 6:30 PM Western Indonesia Time at Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta, with results announced around 7:05 PM WIB through a press conference and live coverage.

Watch Indonesia Sidang Isbat Press Conference Live Streaming on YouTubeThe press conference will be held shortly at Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in the afternoon. The seminar will start at 4.430 PM Western Indonesia Time (WIB). This Isbat session is held behind closed doors at 6:30 PM WIB, and the results are announced through a press conference around 7:05 PM WIB.

In the Philippines, the Supreme Court announced that all first-level courts in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte will suspend work on Wednesday, 18 February, for the start of Ramadan 2026. WORK SUSPENSION: All first-level courts in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte suspend work on February 18, 2026 in observance of the commencement of the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadhan.The courts shall have sufficient staff members to act on urgent requests for bail, orders of… pic.twitter.com/ljOevOjLD3— Philippine Supreme Court Public Information Office (@SCPh_PIO) February 17, 2026 Essential staff will remain on duty to handle urgent applications like bail, writs and release orders while the region follows its confirmed moon sighting, which aligns with the broader Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia timeline.

Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia: Country-wise start dates

The latest confirmed or expected first day of fasting based on official announcements linked to the Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia and regional checks is shown below.

Country / Region	Ramadan 2026 first fasting day	Basis
Singapore	19 February 2026	Crescent not sighted on 17 February
Malaysia	19 February 2026	No confirmed sighting on 17 February
Indonesia	Likely 19 February 2026	Pending Sidang Isbat; crescent not seen earlier
Philippines (Bangsamoro)	19 February 2026	Bangsamoro Darul Ifta' announcement
Turkey	19 February 2026	Government announcement after no sighting
India	19 or 20 February 2026	Depends on 18 February sighting
Pakistan	Expected 19 February 2026	Ruet-e-Hilal meeting on 18 February
Saudi Arabia and Gulf	18 or 19 February 2026	Based on 17 February visual sighting attempts

The global picture around Ramadan 2026 moon sighting in Saudi Arabia shows many Asian countries converging on 19 February as the first fasting day, while Saudi Arabia and nearby Gulf states await final confirmation from observatories like Sudair and Tumair. Religious committees, courts and governments are coordinating decisions so communities can prepare for fasting, prayers and charity together.