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Look: Shaban crescent sighted in UAE; here's what it means
All over the world, the crescent moon was sighted using astronomical imaging techniques, telescopes and the naked eye
- PUBLISHED: Tue 20 Jan 2026, 12:13 PM
- By:
- Meher Dhanjal
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The crescent moon for Shaban, the month before Ramadan, was sighted in the UAE on Monday, January 19, 2026. UAE's Astronomy Centre said that the sighting was done using astronomical imaging techniques.
Moon sighting is used to determine the start and end of months in the Hijri calendar. The sighting for Shaban is twice as significant since it can be used to estimatethe beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.
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The crescent was observed using astronomical imaging techniques in: Malaysia, Oman, the UAE (Abu Dhabi), Saudi Arabia (Madinah), Iraq (Diwaniyah), Jordan (Irbid), Germany and the UK. Telescopes were used to sight the crescent moon visually in Oman and Saudi Arabia. It was observed with the naked eye from the US (Virginia).
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Take a look at the crescent as seen from the UAE:
The sighting of the crescent moon on Monday means that Shaban begins on the next day — Tuesday, January 20. While this is the case in most Islamic countries, in the following countries, the month will start on Wednesday, January 21: Bangladesh, Iran, Pakistan, Morocco, and Mauritania.
When is Ramadan 2026?
The beginning of Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the moon, but can be estimated once the Shaban crescent is sighted.
This time around, the UAE would likely sight the crescent on the evening of February 18, although the sky will be searched the previous night as well. This is according to Khadijah Hasan Ahmad, Operations Manager at the Dubai Astronomy Group.
The sighting of the crescent moon on February 18 marks the next day as the start of the holy month.
The calendar issued by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (Awqaf) also lists February 19 as the first day of Ramadan.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh, Iran, Pakistan, Morocco, and Mauritania have determined the start of Ramadan to be Thursday, 19 February 2026. This is unless the sky is cloudy on the observation day, in which case relevant authorities will decide that the beginning of Ramadan will be Friday, 20 February instead.
Eid holidays this year
UAE will attempt to sight the crescent at the end of Ramadan most likely on March 19. If it is seen, the beginning of Shawwal — and Eid Al Fitr — will fall on March 20, 2026, and the holy month would have lasted 29 days.
Eid Al Fitr is celebrated over the first three days of Shawwal. Residents will enjoy public holidays on these three days, from Friday, March 20, to Sunday, March 22.
