In a significant religious synchronization, numerous nations across the Middle East have collectively confirmed the commencement of Ramadan 2026 on February 18 following successful moon sightings on Tuesday evening. The holy month’s initiation was formally declared by religious authorities and governmental bodies across the region.
The United Arab Emirates’ Moon Sighting Committee officially verified crescent visibility, setting February 18 as the inaugural day of Ramadan. Similar announcements echoed throughout the Gulf region with Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court, Qatar’s religious authorities, and Kuwait’s official channels all confirming identical start dates.
Bahrain’s news agency, Iraq’s governmental offices, and Yemen’s official sources simultaneously proclaimed Wednesday as the first day of fasting. Lebanon and Palestine joined the regional consensus, with Palestinian authorities confirming February 18th as their Ramadan commencement date.
This synchronization demonstrates the remarkable astronomical alignment across these nations. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, represents one of the Five Pillars of Islam where observant Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset. The month holds profound spiritual significance for the global Muslim community, emphasizing prayer, reflection, and communal unity.
The collective announcement facilitates regional harmony in religious observance, allowing millions of Muslims to begin their spiritual journey simultaneously. This coordination is particularly important for international families, businesses operating across multiple Muslim countries, and religious travelers seeking consistent observance schedules.