Saudi Arabia Announces Date to Sight Ramadan Crescent Moon
The Saudi Supreme Court has called upon all Muslims throughout the Kingdom to begin looking for the crescent moon that signifies the start of Ramadan on the evening of . This corresponds to 29 Sha’ban 1447 AH in the Islamic calendar, the final day of the month of Sha’ban, according to the Umm Al-Qura calendar.
The court issued a formal directive, urging citizens and residents to actively observe the sky for the new moon. Anyone who believes they have sighted the crescent moon – whether with the naked eye or with the aid of binoculars – is requested to immediately report their sighting to the nearest court or contact a designated center to register their testimony. The court also encouraged those capable of participating in moon-sighting efforts to join committees formed across the Kingdom for this purpose.
While astronomical calculations suggest that Ramadan is likely to begin around or , the official start date remains contingent upon the actual visual confirmation of the crescent moon. This practice of relying on moon sightings is a tradition deeply rooted in Islamic practice, dating back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad.
The process of determining the beginning of Ramadan is a blend of spiritual observance and scientific consideration. According to Professor Amir Hussein Hassan of the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, the start of a new Islamic month is determined by the sighting of the crescent at sunset on the twenty-ninth day of the preceding month. For the crescent to be officially recognized, it must be born at least four hours before sunset and remain visible above the horizon for a minimum of five minutes.
The birth of the crescent moon marking the new month is expected to occur immediately after conjunction at .
It’s important to note that the method of determining the start of Ramadan is not uniform across the Muslim world. Some countries, like Saudi Arabia, prioritize the traditional practice of naked-eye moon sightings, while others rely on astronomical calculations. This difference in approach often leads to slight variations in the start date of Ramadan from one country to another.
The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar Hijri system, which is approximately 10 to 12 days shorter than the solar year. Ramadan shifts earlier each year, cycling through the seasons over a period of 33 years. In a unique occurrence, the year 2030 will see Ramadan observed twice – first starting on , and again on – due to the lunar calendar’s shorter cycle.
The announcement from the Saudi Supreme Court has already generated significant public interest, with “Ramadan 2026 crescent sighting” trending on social media platforms across Saudi Arabia as families and communities prepare for the holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. The United Arab Emirates has also called on Muslims to sight the crescent moon on the same date.
