Saudi Arabia Announces Start of Ramadan 1447 on February 18

On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Saudi Arabia officially announced the sighting of the crescent moon, confirming that Ramadan 1447 will begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The Taraweeh prayer will be held on the night of February 17, following the Isha prayer.

Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates will observe their first fast at dawn on February 18. However, it was noted that in Japan, Ramadan will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026, as the crescent moon was not sighted there.

Other countries, including Iran, Oman, Singapore, and Turkey, have also announced that they will start Ramadan on February 19, following traditional lunar observation processes. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, lasts for 29 or 30 days, and fasting during this month is one of the five pillars of Islam, with exemptions for certain individuals.