Muslims in Saudi Arabia and several other countries will begin fasting on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, following the official sighting of the Ramadan crescent.
Saudi authorities confirmed the Hilal on Tuesday, signalling the start of the holy month. A statement shared by Muslim on X read, “BREAKING: Saudi Arabia announces the first day of fasting for Ramadan to begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Taraweeh will begin tonight on the first evening of the blessed month.”
With the announcement, Taraweeh prayers will be observed after Isha on Tuesday night. Muslims in Nigeria, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are also set to observe their first fast on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, authorities in Japan declared that Ramadan will begin on Thursday, February 19, after the crescent moon was not sighted. Oman, Singapore and Turkey likewise fixed Thursday as the first day of fasting.
Ramadan, observed by over 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, is a sacred month of fasting, prayer and spiritual reflection. The start date shifts annually in line with the Islamic lunar calendar.
