Ramadan Moon Sighting Under Way: Start Dates Revealed
Ramadan Moon Sighting Under Way: Start Dates Revealed
Crescent sighting efforts set the stage for Ramadan, with fasting likely starting Feb 18-19 across regions as committees await official confirmation.
The Islamic calendar’s holy month is approaching, and communities worldwide are awaiting the crescent moon that marks the start of Ramadan. Hilal sighting committees are conducting checks across regions, with timing variations likely to push fasting start dates to different days depending on local sightings. In the Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia, the crescent moon is expected to appear on February 17, potentially signalling fasting from February 18. In India, sightings are anticipated on February 18, with fasting possibly beginning February 19. Official announcements are still pending as authorities and religious scholars review sightings and lunar calendars.
In parallel, mosques and religious bodies are gearing up for the month’s activities, including Tarawih prayers and communal reflection. The Markazi Chand Committee and other local councils will meet after sunset to confirm the moon sighting and, with it, the first day of fasting. The observance of Ramadan 1447 AH is shaping how communities plan acts of worship, charity, and fasting over the coming weeks, underlining a shared but regionally varied start to the sacred period.
This year’s timing highlights the broader reality of Ramadan’s beginnings: while the month is universal, its opening date is often determined by local moon sightings, calendars, and weather conditions. As families and temples prepare, people everywhere are encouraged to stay tuned for official notices from their communities and to plan accordingly for the start of fasting, prayers, and charitable activities during this spiritually significant time.
