Date of sighting of the month of Ramadan 2026: Ramadan (also spelled Ramzan, Ramazan or Ramzaan) began in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries on Wednesday, February 18, after the crescent moon was sighted on Tuesday evening.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar (Hijri) calendar and marks 29 or 30 days of fasting, prayer and reflection observed by Muslims around the world. Typically, the crescent moon is first seen in the Gulf countries and also in some parts of India and western countries.
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In India, Ramadan usually starts the day after, but only after the sighting of the moon. Thus, the month of Ramadan 2026 is likely to be visible on Wednesday, February 18, soon after sunset in India.
Ramadan 2026: Why does sighting of the crescent moon matter?
The Islamic year depends on crescents. Each month has either 29 or 30 days, and the beginning and end of the month is marked by the evening sighting of the crescent moon. In India, February 18 is the 29th day of Sha’ban, the eighth month of the Islamic year. If the crescent is sighted in the evening, it ends Sha’ban with 29 days and marks the beginning of the month of Ramadan after the sighting. If the crescent is not seen and not reported by the mosques, Shabaan will last for 30 days.
And if the month has 30 days, there is no need to wait for the sighting of the crescent because there will be no 31st day in any Islamic calendar month. So Ramadan 2026 can start on either 19th February or 20th February in India.
When will the moon sighting take place?
So after sunset today, mosques across India will look for the crescent moon. Announcements usually come from Delhi’s Jama Masjid in the national capital. The Shahi Imam of Aishbagh Idgah in Lucknow also arranges for moon sightings and issues notices accordingly.
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Notifications are usually made by 7pm, but may take longer in case of bad weather.
The meaning of fasting?
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, during which devout Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, evil thoughts and actions, and have marital relations from dawn to dusk.
Sehri and Iftar Timing of Ramadan 2026 in India
Sehri is the pre-fast meal before sunrise. Each day of fasting ends with iftar after sunset.
Sehri and Iftar times change by a few minutes each day in accordance with the timing of sunrise and sunset. It is different for different cities.
Ramadan is marked by fasting, prayer and reflection observed by Muslims around the world.
For example, in Delhi, if the first roza is on Thursday, February 19, devotees will begin their fast by stopping eating and drinking at 5:37 a.m.—the end of Sehri. Muslims will observe the fast for about 12 hours and break the fast at 6:15 pm, called Iftar.
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Similarly, on Friday, February 20, the end time for Sehri in Delhi is 5:36 a.m., which means people observing the fast cannot eat or drink beyond that time until 6:15 p.m., when the roza opens on Friday.
Key things
- The sighting of the crescent moon marks the beginning of Ramadan and is essential in Islamic tradition.
- In India, Ramadan can start on February 19 or 20, depending on the sighting of the moon.
- Sehri and Iftar times vary by location and change daily according to sunrise and sunset.