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Qatar urges faithful to sight Ramadan crescent on February 17
The committee revealed it will convene immediately after Maghrib prayer to observe the sighting
- PUBLISHED: Mon 16 Feb 2026, 9:11 AM UPDATED: Mon 16 Feb 2026, 9:29 AM
Qatar has officially announced Tuesday, February 17, as the moon sighting day, urging Muslims across the country to be on the lookout for the Ramadan crescent during the evening, which coincides with the 29th of Shaban in the Islamic calendar.
The Crescent Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) urged anyone who sights the crescent to promptly report in person to the authority's headquarters at Dafna Tower to submit their testimony.
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The committee revealed it will convene immediately after Maghrib prayer to observe the sighting.
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Among the gulf countries, Oman is the first nation to announce the starting date of the holy month of Ramadan using scientific data.
The Sultanates' committee stated that the moon will set on Tuesday, before or at sunset in all governorates of Oman, which makes the sighting of the crescent moon on this day astronomically impossible. Therefore, it declared that in accordance with the established principle of not accepting reports that contradict observable reality and scientific certainty when astronomical facts confirm the impossibility of sighting, Thursday, February 19, will be the first day of Ramadan.
Meanwhile, the UAE urged members of the public to observe the crescent on Tuesday evening and submit their sightings through the dedicated electronic link shared on its official platforms.
The Fatwa council will begin their work after Maghrib prayer. Members will review reports submitted by field observation teams and examine findings from approved observatories across the country.
UAE-based astronomers had earlier warned of significant safety risks associated with attempting to observe the moon on February 17 using telescopes or binoculars. The moon will be positioned very close to the Sun that day, coinciding with a solar eclipse.
Directly viewing the Sun through optical instruments without certified solar filters can cause temporary or permanent eye damage, including blindness, the Abu Dhabi-based International Astronomy Centre told Khaleej Times. They stressed that proper professional safety standards must be strictly followed to avoid serious injury.
Saudi Arabia on the other hand is also set to try to sight the Ramadan crescent on the evening of Tuesday, February 17.
The Kingdom's Supreme Court issued a statement, urging anyone who sights the moon, whether with the naked eye or using binoculars, to report it to the nearest court and register their testimony, or contact the nearest centre for assistance in reaching the nearest court.
