Saudi Arabia says Ramadan begins Wednesday

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday formally introduced the sighting of the crescent moon, marking the start of Ramadan 1447 AH.

With the Hilal confirmed, the holy month of Ramadan will start on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, whereas Taraweeh prayers shall be noticed after the Isha prayer on Tuesday night time.

A put up by @Muslim on X acknowledged: “BREAKING: Saudi Arabia proclaims the primary day of fasting for Ramadan to start on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

“Taraweeh will start tonight on the primary night of the blessed month.

“It’s really helpful to comply with the fasting time designated by your local people and nation.”

Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and several other different international locations are anticipated to start fasting at daybreak on Wednesday, ushering in a month devoted to prayer, reflection and devotion.

In Japan, nevertheless, Ramadan 2026 will start on Thursday, February 19, after the Hilal Imaginative and prescient Committee confirmed that the crescent moon was not sighted on Tuesday.

Equally, Oman, Singapore and Turkey have introduced that Thursday, February 19, will mark the primary day of Ramadan, in keeping with their lunar statement processes.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which consists of 12 months and lasts 354 or 355 days. As a result of it follows the lunar cycle, the beginning date shifts every year.

Fasting throughout Ramadan is likely one of the 5 pillars of Islam and is compulsory for wholesome grownup Muslims, with exemptions for kids, the sick, travellers, and ladies who’re pregnant, nursing or menstruating.

The sighting of the crescent moon stays a long-standing Islamic custom used to find out the beginning of Ramadan in addition to the festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

Throughout the holy month, working hours and faculty schedules are sometimes adjusted in lots of Muslim-majority international locations to permit extra time for worship and household actions.

Greater than 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide are anticipated to watch the month-long quick from daybreak to sundown every day.