Saudi Moon-Sighting Committee Confirms Delay in Crescent Sighting, Affecting Ramadan 2026 Start
Official announcement that the Shaʿban crescent was not observed means the Islamic month will begin a day later, with implications for Ramadan’s timing
Saudi Arabia’s official moon-sighting committees announced that the crescent marking the beginning of Shaʿban 1447 AH was not sighted on the evening of January 18, 2026, delaying the start of the new lunar month and, by extension, the 2026 Ramadan calendar.
The committees confirmed that Monday, January 19 will instead be observed as the thirtieth and final day of Rajab, and Shaʿban will begin on Tuesday, January 20, after the successful sighting of the new moon.
This delay affects expectations for the onset of Ramadan, which is calculated based on the sighting of the Shaʿban and Ramadan crescents.
The Islamic calendar is entirely lunar, with months beginning when the first visible crescent is confirmed by observers, and no centralized global authority sets the dates; individual national moon-sighting bodies make announcements that communities follow.
Astronomical and traditional projections had indicated that the holy fasting month would likely begin around mid-February 2026, with many forecasting that Ramadan’s first day would fall on February 18 or February 19 if the crescent were sighted as expected.
With the Shaʿban crescent confirmed later than anticipated, the timeline for observing the Ramadan crescent likewise shifts, although precise confirmation will depend on local sightings later in the lunar cycle.
Muslims in Saudi Arabia and beyond track these announcements closely, as they determine not only the start of the month of fasting but also the rhythm of associated religious observances, daily routines and communal worship schedules.
In most years, such slight variations of one day are common because of differences in weather, atmospheric conditions and lunar visibility from different geographic locations.
Religious authorities and communities emphasize that while astronomical predictions provide useful guidance, the official commencement of Ramadan is dictated by the traditional confirmation of the new moon’s crescent, preserving centuries-old practice in Islamic society.
The committees confirmed that Monday, January 19 will instead be observed as the thirtieth and final day of Rajab, and Shaʿban will begin on Tuesday, January 20, after the successful sighting of the new moon.
This delay affects expectations for the onset of Ramadan, which is calculated based on the sighting of the Shaʿban and Ramadan crescents.
The Islamic calendar is entirely lunar, with months beginning when the first visible crescent is confirmed by observers, and no centralized global authority sets the dates; individual national moon-sighting bodies make announcements that communities follow.
Astronomical and traditional projections had indicated that the holy fasting month would likely begin around mid-February 2026, with many forecasting that Ramadan’s first day would fall on February 18 or February 19 if the crescent were sighted as expected.
With the Shaʿban crescent confirmed later than anticipated, the timeline for observing the Ramadan crescent likewise shifts, although precise confirmation will depend on local sightings later in the lunar cycle.
Muslims in Saudi Arabia and beyond track these announcements closely, as they determine not only the start of the month of fasting but also the rhythm of associated religious observances, daily routines and communal worship schedules.
In most years, such slight variations of one day are common because of differences in weather, atmospheric conditions and lunar visibility from different geographic locations.
Religious authorities and communities emphasize that while astronomical predictions provide useful guidance, the official commencement of Ramadan is dictated by the traditional confirmation of the new moon’s crescent, preserving centuries-old practice in Islamic society.
