Saudi court calls for moon sighting for Ramadan 2026 on Feb. 17 (ET)
Saudi Arabia's highest judicial authority has set the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 (ET) for the traditional sighting of the new moon that determines the start of Ramadan 2026. The announcement asks observers across the kingdom to report verified sightings, while North African astronomical calculations suggest a later start for some countries.
Supreme Court schedules nationwide moon sighting
The Supreme Court in Saudi Arabia has formally invited citizens and residents to look for the crescent on the night of Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 (ET). The court asked anyone who sees the crescent with the naked eye or through optical aids to contact the nearest court or regional center to register their testimony and join local committees formed for this purpose. The statement emphasized the religious merit of participating in sighting efforts and framed the exercise as a communal duty that contributes to unity and shared observance.
Astronomers forecast limited visibility; Algeria sets a later first day
An Algerian astronomy association released calculations tied to the lunar conjunction that occurs on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 at 7: 01 AM ET. That analysis indicates the newborn crescent will be too young to be seen with the naked eye from most of North Africa, much of the Arab world and large parts of Africa and the Americas on the evening of Feb. 17. In the Algerian capital, the association notes the moon would remain above the horizon for only about six minutes after sunset, insufficient for a reliable visual sighting.
Based on these astronomical criteria and standard visibility models, the association concluded that Sha'ban should be completed as a 30-day month and that Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 (ET) should be observed locally as the first day of Ramadan. The statement stressed that this outcome aligns with international astronomical calculations and observational data from several research observatories.
Religious authorities urge patience and official confirmation
Religious institutions in the region have called on the faithful to await an official declaration made after sunset and to rely on verified testimonies rather than social media posts or informal claims. A national religious body reiterated that the formal announcement of Ramadan's start follows a prescribed legal and religious process: a regulated sighting, authenticated witness statements and the customary public statement issued after evening prayers.
The situation leaves room for variation between countries. Where local committees register a credible sighting on the evening of Feb. 17 (ET), the fast could begin the following day. Where astronomical assessments show the crescent cannot be seen, many communities are likely to complete Sha'ban and begin Ramadan on Feb. 19 (ET). Observers and worshippers are being encouraged to monitor official channels for the legally binding decisions that will determine the start of observance in each jurisdiction.
The coming days will test coordination between religious authorities, astronomy groups and local courts as communities work to balance traditional moon-sighting practices with modern astronomical science. For Muslims planning religious and communal activities, the key instruction from both judicial and religious bodies is to await the authorized declaration that follows the sunset sightings and the formal registration of testimony.
