When is Ramadan 2026? Crescent moon sightings confirmed in UK, Saudi Arabia and Morocco - how to see it
Millions of people around the world will be observing the holy month of Ramadan.
For Ramadan, worshippers will be fasting, praying, and giving to charity to commemorate the occasion which ends with a large prayer and celebration. However, unlike other religious holidays, Ramadan doesn't start on the same day each year.
The Islamic calendar follows the moon's cycle, meaning its months start at different points as the years go by. What is even more confusing, some people might start Ramadan on different dates, based on local customs, traditions, and varying moon sightings.
Most communities and sects rely on the moon sighting committee in Saudi Arabia to determine when Ramadan begins. This is because the they use a special equipment to track the moon's cycle.
However, Muslims living abroad are told to follow the guidance of their closest Muslim majority country. For those in the UK, this is Morocco. On 15 February the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia called on worshippers to begin looking for the crescent moon on Tuesday evening and to report it to their nearest court.
With the confirmation, Muslims across Saudi Arabia will begin fasting at dawn on Wednesday.
In Morocco, astronomers expect the nation to announce Thursday, February 19, as the first day of Ramadan. UK astronomers at HM Nautical Almanac Office have suggested that the moon will not be visible to the naked eye in Mecca on Tuesday, February 17.
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have announced that Ramadan will begin on Thursday after the crescent moon was not sighted on Tuesday evening. Muslims wish each other a happy Eid during the celebrations by saying "Eid Mubarak" and gathering with family and friends to feast and pray together. The festival, which can last for up to three days, sees people donating to charity as part of the celebrations.
For London Muslims, the Royal Observatory in Greenwich will be streaming a live astronomical moonsighting feed on their website from tomorrow evening (February 18). The feed will be active from 5:30pm tomorrow.