Muslims will begin fasting on Wednesday for the holy month of Ramadan. But debate over whether the crescent moon is visible yet means that, in several countries, Ramadan will officially begin on Thursday instead.
Muslims break their fast after evening prayers during RamadanImage: Ahmed Mosaad/NurPhoto/picture alliance
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Hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world are preparing to fast for the holy month of Ramadan after Saudi astronomers sighted the new moon on Tuesday evening.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and water from sunrise until sunset, breaking their fast with an iftar meal afterwards.
However, countries differ on the exact start date, with some expecting Ramadan to begin on Wednesday and others on Thursday.
Saudis announce new moon
Ramadan begins after the sighting of the crescent moon.
After Saudi astronomers sighted the new moon on Tuesday, the royal court announced that the first day of Ramadan would fall on Wednesday — a decision that tends to be followed in other majority-Muslim countries.
Muslims around the world observe the moon to determine the start of Ramadan, but those in Saudi Arabia hold particular sway over the dateImage: Fayez Nureldine/AFP
Saudi Arabia's Gulf neighbors Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates also announced that Ramadan would start on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, religious authorities in some countries including Jordan, Oman, Syria and Turkey said Ramadan would instead begin on Thursday.
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Some astronomers say moon not yet visible
Saudi religious authorities continue to rely on direct visual sighting, a practice that has been followed since the time of the Prophet Mohammed.
After evening prayers, teams of observers scattered around the country in areas with low-light pollution filed reports to the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia, which then announced the start of Ramadan.
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But advances in modern astronomy have increased the accuracy with the moon can be observed.
Some have argued that the crescent moon would not be visible on Tuesday.
For example, the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology in the UAE as well as Oman's Main Committee for Moon Sighting both said the moon would not be visible until Wednesday night, and that Ramadan should therefore begin on Thursday.
Traditions and rituals of Ramadan
Ramadan marks a special time of spiritual discipline and purification for millions of practicing Muslims across the globe. From local traditions to holy rituals, DW examines the religious month of fasting.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Gupta
Ramadan: Islam's holiest month
Every year, millions of practicing Muslims across the world fast, pray and give alms in observance of Islam's holiest month, the exact dates of which change each year. From firing off cannons to lunar sightings, DW explores how Muslims mark the occasion and what it means to the faithful.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Gupta
Moon sighting
The sighting of the new moon of Ramadan is practiced by religious authorities across the globe to determine the beginning of the month of fasting. While some observe the new moon with telescopes, others use the naked eye, which is why Ramadan may begin on different days in certain parts of the world.
Image: picture-alliance/NurPhoto/M. Khairuddin
Prayer
Prayer is often considered a fundamental part of observing the month of fasting. Ramadan traditionally begins with a special prayer known as "Tarawih" on the eve of the holy month. During Ramadan, practicing Muslims generally participate in communal prayer at their local mosque.
Image: picture-alliance/AA
Recitation
The month of fasting represents a period of spiritual discipline and purification. As such, reading and reciting the Quran, Islam's holy book, form an integral part of the traditional rituals observed during Ramadan. The Quran is believed to have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during the month of Ramadan.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/D. Goldman
Local traditions
While Islam offers prescribed rituals to observe during Ramadan, many places have local traditions that coincide with the month of fasting. In Sarajevo, a cannon is traditionally fired to mark the breaking of the fast on each day of Ramadan. In Egypt, displaying a decorated lantern known as a "fanous" is part of the tradition.
Image: picture-alliance/ZUMAPRESS.com
Breaking fast
After a long day without food and water, many Muslims traditionally break their fast with a date, the nutritious fruit with which the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have broken his fast. Afterwards, observing Muslims often partake in a communal dinner known as "iftar."
Image: picture-alliance/AP Images/R. Gul
Eid al-Fitr
The celebration of Eid al-Fitr, or the festival of breaking the fast, marks the official end of Ramadan. From indulging in sweets to offering gifts to loved ones, Muslims celebrate the end of the fasting month with large meals prepared for friends and family. It is considered a joyful time in which to be generous and kind to others.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Belghoul
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"On Tuesday 17 February 2026, the crescent moon is astronomically impossible to see, whether by high powered telescopes or by the unaided eye anywhere in the Middle East — indeed, in the whole of Asia, Africa, or Europe," Imad Ahmed, founder and director of the New Crescent Society told Middle East Eye.
Saudi authorities have in previous years also declared the start of Ramadan despite other astronomers claiming that moon sightings were impossible.
