Qatar’s Crescent Sighting Committee has officially designated Tuesday, February 17, 2026, as the observation day for the Ramadan crescent, marking the 29th of Shaban in the Islamic calendar. The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) has called upon Muslim citizens to actively participate in the moon sighting effort and report any visual confirmation directly to their headquarters at Dafna Tower for testimony verification.
The committee will convene immediately following Maghrib prayer to evaluate observational reports. This traditional approach to determining Ramadan’s commencement contrasts with Oman’s methodology, which has already declared Thursday, February 19, as the first day of Ramadan based on scientific astronomical data. Oman’s committee stated that astronomical calculations confirm the crescent’s setting before sunset on February 17, making visual observation impossible throughout the Sultanate.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has similarly encouraged public participation in crescent observation on Tuesday evening, implementing digital reporting systems through official electronic channels. The UAE Fatwa Council will commence operations after Maghrib prayer, reviewing submissions from both field observation teams and certified astronomical observatories.
Astronomers have issued serious safety warnings regarding observation attempts on February 17 due to the moon’s proximity to the sun during a concurrent solar eclipse. The Abu Dhabi-based International Astronomy Centre emphasized that viewing through optical instruments without certified solar filters risks permanent eye damage, including blindness, urging strict adherence to professional safety protocols.
Saudi Arabia has joined the crescent observation effort, with the Kingdom’s Supreme Court requesting citizens report sightings through judicial channels regardless of observation method. The divergent approaches across Gulf Cooperation Council nations highlight the ongoing balance between traditional religious practices and modern astronomical science in determining Islamic calendar events.