Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar Announce Wednesday as First Day of Ramadan
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have officially confirmed that Wednesday will mark the beginning of Ramadan 1447 of the Hijri calendar, following the sighting of the crescent moon. In Morocco, however, the start date of fasting remains pending the official announcement of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, although astronomical calculations already point to Thursday as an almost certain estimate.
According to a statement released by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Kingdom’s religious authorities validated Tuesday evening the sighting of the crescent marking the beginning of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. This verification, carried out on 29 Shaaban 1447, removes any uncertainty and sets Wednesday as the first day of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia, a country whose decision often serves as a reference for other Muslim nations.
In Morocco, the procedure differs. The determination of the first day of Ramadan depends exclusively on the visual sighting of the crescent moon, in accordance with national religious tradition. The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs must therefore officially confirm the date after receiving observation reports submitted by magistrates, religious delegates and observers mobilised across the country.
At the same time, scientific data already provide an indication. Astronomer Hicham Al Aissaoui estimates that the holy month should begin on Thursday, 19 February 2026 in Morocco and last 30 days this year. However, despite the precision of astronomical calculations regarding the birth of the new moon, the final decision remains subject to its actual visibility in the sky, a practice deeply rooted in Moroccan tradition.
Pending the official verdict, worshippers remain attentive to the announcement by the religious authorities, which will definitively set the first day of Ramadan in the Kingdom.
Editorial team/le7tv
