The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has called on Muslims across the Kingdom to sight the crescent moon on Tuesday evening, 29 Sha’ban 1447 AH, in preparation for the commencement of Ramadan.
According to the announcement, the date corresponds to February 17, 2026, based on the Umm Al Qura calendar.
In a formal statement, the court urged anyone who sights the crescent — whether with the naked eye or using binoculars — to promptly report to the nearest court and officially register their testimony.
The appeal is part of the Kingdom’s long-standing tradition of moon sighting to determine the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims observe fasting from dawn to sunset.
Religious authorities emphasized the importance of accurate and verified testimonies, noting that official confirmation of the crescent will determine the first day of fasting nationwide.
Saudi Arabia’s announcement often holds regional and global significance, as many Muslim communities look to the Kingdom’s declaration when determining the start of Ramadan.
Mosques and observatories across the country are expected to mobilize sighting committees, while citizens have been encouraged to participate in the process in accordance with Islamic tradition.
Should the crescent be sighted on Tuesday evening, Ramadan will begin the following day. If not, Sha’ban will complete 30 days.
As anticipation builds across the Muslim world, attention now turns to the western horizon Tuesday evening — where the slender crescent will determine the dawn of the sacred month.
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