The holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH has officially started in Saudi Arabia today, Wednesday, 18 February 2026. The announcement was made on Tuesday evening after the crescent moon was sighted in different parts of the Kingdom.
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia confirmed the beginning of Ramadan after receiving verified reports from observatories, including Hawtat Sudair and Tumair. With the moon sighted, Muslims across the country began their first fast on Wednesday.
According to astronomical forecasts, Ramadan is expected to last 29 days this year. However, the final date of Eid will depend on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon. If predictions remain accurate, Eid al-Fitr is likely to begin on Friday, 20 March 2026.
During Ramadan, working hours in the Kingdom are usually reduced. Both public and private sector offices follow shorter schedules to make it easier for people who are fasting. The month is a time of prayer, charity, reflection, and community gatherings.
While Saudi Arabia and most Gulf countries, including the UAE and Qatar, started fasting on Wednesday, some other nations began a day later. Countries such as Oman, Turkey, and Singapore announced that Ramadan would begin on Thursday, 19 February. The difference happened because the crescent moon was not visible in those regions on Tuesday night.
Ramadan is one of the most important months in Islam. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset and focus on worship and helping others. Across Saudi Arabia, mosques are filled with worshippers, and families gather each evening to break their fast together, marking the start of this blessed month.