The United Arab Emirates officially welcomed the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, following the confirmed sighting of the crescent moon by astronomical authorities. The Khatm Astronomical Observatory, operating under the International Astronomy Center, successfully captured photographic evidence of the crescent at 10:30 AM UAE time, marking the commencement of the Islamic fasting period.
Scientific measurements recorded the moon’s position at 9.8 degrees separation from the sun with an age of approximately 16.6 hours at the time of observation. This confirmation came after the UAE’s Moon-Sighting Committee convened at Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday evening, where religious and astronomical experts verified the celestial phenomenon through traditional and scientific methods.
The beginning of Ramadan follows the completion of 29 days in the preceding month of Shaban, consistent with Islamic lunar calendar traditions that determine each month’s duration through visual crescent observations. Muslim communities across the nation subsequently began their first day of fasting, with prayer timings set at Fajr (dawn) at 5:34 AM and Maghrib (sunset) at 6:18 PM, creating a fasting duration exceeding 12 hours.
The commencement of Ramadan brings significant cultural and social transformations to the UAE, where both Muslim residents and non-Muslim participants engage in spiritual reflection, charitable activities, and communal gatherings. The government’s Awqaf department has issued official prayer and fasting timings to facilitate religious observance throughout the holy month.