E-Paper
Sign In
Saudi Arabia calls on Muslims to sight Ramadan crescent on February 17
The Supreme Court urged anyone who sights the moon, whether with the naked eye or using binoculars, to report it to the nearest court and register their testimony
- PUBLISHED: Sun 15 Feb 2026, 2:12 PM UPDATED: Sun 15 Feb 2026, 2:48 PM
Saudi Arabia has called upon Muslims across the Kingdom to sight the Ramadan crescent on the evening of Tuesday, February 17, which corresponds to the 29th of Shaban according to the Umm al-Qura calendar.
The 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.
Recommended For You
It also emphasised that those capable of sighting the crescent must pay attention to this matter and join committees formed in the country's regions for this purpose.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels
While putting out the notice, the authority highlighted the religious significance of the 'pious' act, which is know to garner rewards as it benefits all faithful.
Meanwhile, as residents across the UAE wait for the arrival of the holy month, the International Astronomy Centre has said it might be "dangerous for the eyes" to try and sight the moon.
In a recent interview, an official from the centre revealed the sighting may be risky that day due to the "moon's proximity to the sun, which also coincides with the occurrence of a solar eclipse".
Whereas, even attempting to directly view the Sun through telescopes, binoculars, or optical instruments without certified solar filters may cause temporary or permanent eye damage, including blindness, experts added.
They clarified that professional astronomical observatories operate in accordance with internationally recognised safety protocols and use specialised equipment and certified solar filters when conducting observations under such conditions.
Experts from Sharjah's astronomy team (Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology) have said the sighting would not be possible even with sophisticated telescopes — not just in Sharjah and the UAE, but across most of the Islamic world.
Amid the unfavourable sighting conditions, authorities in the country have urged the public to follow verified reports from recognised astronomical centres and religious authorities to avoid disruption in fasting schedules and community activities.
Oman on the other hand became the first Gulf country 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.
