Saudi High Court Sets Night to Sight Crescent; Astronomers Point to Feb. 19 Start for Ramadan 2026
The Saudi High Court has designated the evening of Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (ET) as the night for public sighting of the lunar crescent that marks the start of Ramadan 2026. At the same time, national and regional astronomers say astronomical calculations make local visual sighting that night unlikely, pushing the probable first day of fasting to Thursday, February 19 (ET) in several countries.
Saudi call for public moon sighting
The court urged Muslims across the kingdom to observe the sky on the night of Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 (ET) and to report any naked-eye or telescope-assisted sightings to the nearest court or judicial center. The appeal also invited qualified volunteers to join local moon-sighting committees and highlighted the religious and communal value of participating in the observation effort. The announcement reiterates the longstanding practice of relying on local sightings to determine the start of the lunar month.
Officials emphasized that any confirmed sighting should be recorded formally with a court or affiliated center so that testimony can be registered and coordinated. The message framed the activity as a communal religious duty and encouraged those with the ability to contribute to do so, noting the spiritual rewards associated with assisting in moon-sighting work.
Astronomical assessments point to Feb. 19 start
Regional astronomical groups and international observers outline a different expectation based on astronomical calculations for the new moon conjunction that falls on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 at 07: 01 ET. At that moment the moon and sun share the same celestial longitude, but the moon will be too close to the sun and too low above the horizon at local sunset for a reliable naked-eye sighting across much of the Arab world and Africa.
For example, calculations for Algiers indicate the moon will linger above the horizon for roughly six minutes after local sunset on Feb. 17, a window deemed insufficient for the crescent to form a reliably visible arc. That short appearance, coupled with the minimal angular separation from the sun, leads astronomers to conclude that many countries will complete the month of Sha'ban to thirty days, which would make Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 (ET) the first day of Ramadan 2026 under a sighting-based determination.
These scientific assessments also note that potential sightings on Feb. 17 would be geographically isolated. Any successful visual detection would most likely occur in far-western parts of North America, a region whose observations are not considered legally relevant to sighting determinations in the countries affected by these statements.
Safety guidance and regional implications
Astronomers cautioned the public about the hazards of aiming binoculars or telescopes toward the sky near sunset on the day of conjunction. Because the sun lies very close to the moon at that phase, amateur equipment can inadvertently capture sunlight and pose a risk of eye injury. Observers are urged to follow established safety protocols and to coordinate with organized local committees rather than attempting improvised observations.
The divergence between the judicial call for public sighting and the scientific expectation of non-visibility reflects an ongoing dynamic between traditional sighting practices and modern astronomical calculations. Communities will now await registered witness statements or formal committee determinations to finalize the calendar for Ramadan 2026. Where official sighting testimony is not produced, the scientific projection of a Feb. 19 start will likely guide many religious authorities and observers.
As the evening of Feb. 17 (ET) approaches, faith communities, local courts and astronomical groups are preparing to coordinate observation efforts and to issue final determinations based on either confirmed visual sightings or the established practice of completing Sha'ban to thirty days.
