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Revealed: Saudi Arabia announces first day of Ramadan
This comes after authorities urged Muslims in the country to sight the Ramadan crescent on the 29th of Shaban today
- PUBLISHED: Tue 17 Feb 2026, 6:55 PM
Saudi Arabia has announced the first day of Ramadan after the crescent was sighted in the Kingdom on Tuesday. The holy month is set to begin on February 18, authorities declared.
The announcement came after officials encouraged the public to search for the crescent on the 29th of Shaban, which falls on February 17 in the Gregorian calendar.
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For the first time, modern technology was deployed at the Sudair Observatory to assist in sighting the Ramadan crescent. Moon‑sighting expert Abdullah Al‑Khudairi confirmed that the annular eclipse will have no impact on the visibility of the Ramadan crescent.
In an effort to make the process smoother, Saudi recently inaugurated the Tamir Observatory. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the observatory is designated for official moon sightings and crescent monitoring, focuses on Ramadan-related observations and adheres to established scientific standards.
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The observatory continues Tamir's historical legacy in lunar investigations. The King Abdulaziz Foundation (Darah) notes that residents historically conducted moon sightings from the western side of the city, taking advantage of clear skies. This practice has now transitioned to a modern, accredited site.
Ramadan in the UAE
In the UAE, reduced working hours have been announced for private sector employees during the holy month of Ramadan. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has stated that the number of working hours will be reduced by 2 during the Islamic holy month.
According to Mohre, private sector companies may implement flexible or remote work schedules within the limits of the daily working hours specified during the holy month, in line with their business interests and the nature of their work.
For public sector employees, working hours have also been reduced. From Monday to Thursday, working hours will be 9am to 2.30pm, while on Fridays, they will be 9am to noon. This is with the exception of employees whose job nature requires otherwise.
This reduced work hour gives residents more time with family, friends, and for prayer and reflection. Although employees have two hours less to complete their work, HR experts say Ramadan acts as a reset, making workers more deliberate in structuring their day. While the first few days can be taxing, reduced work hours can make employees work more efficiently, deliberately, and with more intention, HR leaders said.
