The crescent moon of Ramadan 2026 has been sighted in Hyderabad and Mumbai – signaling the start of the holy month of Ramzan. Since the moon was sighted in two cities, the lunar fast will begin from Thursday, February 19. The month of Ramadan was also sighted in Delhi.
The holy month, during which hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset, traditionally begins with the sighting of the crescent moon.
In Hyderabad, the crescent moon sighting was announced by the Central Committee of Ruet-e-Hilal Sadar Majlis-e-Ulama-e-Deccan, which is also known as Hyderabad Moon Sighting Committee.
Subai Jamiat Ahle Hadees in Bombay said, “The month of Ramadan 1447 AH was sighted.” Also watch for Moon Sighting LIVE updates
In a press release on its X handle on social media, the authority said, “As of today, 18 February 2026, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of Jamiat Ahle Hadith Mumbai Province has received information about general crescent moon sighting from across the country.
“Therefore the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of Jamiat Ahle Hadith Mumbai Province announces that tomorrow, Thursday 19 February 2026, is the first date of Ramadan 7, 144 AH.”
Read also | Ramadan Mubarak 2026: 150+ Best Wishes, Heartfelt Quotes, WhatsApp Status
Naib Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Shaban Bukhari has officially announced the sighting of the moon, signaling the start of Ramadan 2026.
When does Ramadan start in Saudi Arabia?
Ramadan will begin in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, February 18, the kingdom’s royal court announced.
Many Muslim-majority countries around the world follow Saudi Arabia in determining the start of Ramadan, giving its announcement special importance.
“Wednesday is the first day of the blessed month of #Ramadan,” the official Saudi Press Agency posted on Tuesday X.
Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also made similar statements. Also read | When does fasting start in India? Crescent, first roza, Sehri and Iftar timings
Observance of the Ramadan fast, one of the five pillars of Islam, requires Muslims to abstain from eating, drinking and smoking. Devoted followers are also encouraged to give to the poor.
Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia is home to two of Islam’s holiest sites.
The practice of starting the month of Ramadan by sighting the moon has been observed since the time of the Prophet Muhammad, who associated the beginning of fasting with the sighting of the crescent moon.
Before the announcement, an astronomical observatory more than 100 kilometers northwest of Riyadh, in the heart of the desert and far from any light pollution, hosted several observers scanning the sky, according to AFP.