E-Paper
Sign In
UAE to search for Ramadan crescent on February 17
The UAE Fatwa Council has urged members of the public to observe the crescent on Tuesday evening
- PUBLISHED: Sun 15 Feb 2026, 7:06 PM UPDATED: Tue 17 Feb 2026, 11:54 AM
The UAE Fatwa Council on Sunday (February 15) announced that the committee responsible for sighting the crescent marking the beginning of Ramadan 2026 will convene on Tuesday (February 17, 2026).
The committee’s work will begin after Maghrib prayer. Members will review reports submitted by field observation teams and examine findings from approved observatories across the country.
Recommended For You
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels
An official announcement on the sighting of the Ramadan crescent will be made through approved channels once the committee concludes its deliberations. The Council also prayed that the holy month would bring goodness and blessings to the UAE, its leadership and its people.
The session forms part of the Council’s mandate to verify the sighting of the new moon and officially announce the start of the Islamic months. The Council said the process aims to ensure a unified national reference and a structured institutional approach in determining the beginning of Ramadan, while reinforcing public confidence in the verification procedures.
The Council has also 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 call, it said, reflects the importance of reviving the Sunnah of moon sighting and encouraging community participation in the process.
UAE-based astronomers 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 has also called on Muslims across the Kingdom to sight the Ramadan crescent on the evening of February 17, corresponding to the 29th of Shaban according to the Umm al-Qura calendar.
The Saudi Supreme Court issued a statement urging anyone who sights the crescent — whether with the naked eye or using binoculars — to report it to the nearest court, register their testimony, or contact the nearest centre for assistance. The court also emphasised that those capable of sighting the crescent should pay attention to this matter and join the committees formed across the Kingdom’s regions for this purpose.
