Saudi Arabia and Five Other Arab Countries Announce Start of Ramadan 1447 Hijri
Saudi Arabia and five other Arab countries announced on Tuesday evening that Wednesday, February 18, 2026, would be the first day of the month of Ramadan 1447 Hijri. The start of the sacred month is expected on Thursday, February 19, in the Sultanate of Oman and Jordan.
In Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court confirmed the observation of the lunar crescent on Tuesday evening, officially declaring Wednesday as the first day of Ramadan. Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Palestine also confirmed the visibility of the lunar crescent and set Wednesday as the start of the sacred month. In Bahrain, although no direct testimony was recorded locally, the confirmation of visibility in Saudi Arabia led the authorities to adopt the same calendar.
According to astronomical calculations, Oman had already planned Thursday, February 19, as the start of Ramadan, while Jordan, after being unable to observe the crescent, also set Thursday as the first day of the month. Morocco and Mauritania will attempt to observe the crescent on Wednesday, their calendar having started one day later than in other countries.
This year, Ramadan occurs in a context marked by conflicts and tensions in the region. Palestinians continue to suffer the consequences of Israeli occupation in Gaza and the West Bank, while Sudan and Libya are experiencing prolonged wars and political divisions. Calls for solidarity and peace are multiplying as Arab countries begin this sacred month. Read also: Ramadan 2026: The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar announce the start of the sacred month
