Saudi Arabia Calls on Muslims to Sight Crescent Moon on February Seventeenth to Mark Start of Ramadan
Kingdom’s Supreme Court urges believers to observe the new moon as the holy month of fasting nears, with official dates pending confirmation
As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan draws near, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has formally urged Muslims across the Kingdom to look for the crescent moon on the evening of Tuesday, February seventeenth, corresponding to the twenty-ninth day of Sha’ban in the Islamic calendar, to determine the onset of Ramadan.
The annual appeal, rooted in longstanding religious tradition, invites observers to sight the new crescent and report their observations to local courts or designated verification centres.
The start of Ramadan is traditionally anchored in the physical sighting of the crescent moon, a practice that remains central to Islamic observance in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Muslim world.
Once the crescent is credibly sighted, the Supreme Court will declare the first day of Ramadan, which is anticipated to fall on either Wednesday, February eighteenth or Thursday, February nineteenth, depending on the outcome of Tuesday’s observations.
The official announcement will be issued after the committee reviews reported sightings.
The Kingdom’s call reflects the deep spiritual and communal significance of moon sighting in Islam, as millions of Muslims prepare for a month of fasting from dawn to sunset, increased prayer and acts of charity.
Observers are encouraged to participate in this time-honoured ritual, which not only determines the beginning of the fasting period but also reinforces shared religious identity and collective anticipation.
Astronomical forecasts suggest that the crescent moon may be difficult to observe on the evening of February seventeenth, with many experts indicating that visibility conditions could favour sighting only later in the week.
Should the moon not be confirmed on Tuesday, Islamic tradition dictates that the month of Sha’ban be completed as thirty days, and Ramadan would commence on Thursday, February nineteenth.
Saudi Arabia’s announcement has been echoed by other Muslim communities and authorities preparing for Ramadan, highlighting both traditional practices and contemporary astronomical considerations.
As believers look skyward next week, the sighting of the crescent will set in motion a sacred period of reflection, discipline and communal cohesion across the Kingdom and beyond.
The annual appeal, rooted in longstanding religious tradition, invites observers to sight the new crescent and report their observations to local courts or designated verification centres.
The start of Ramadan is traditionally anchored in the physical sighting of the crescent moon, a practice that remains central to Islamic observance in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Muslim world.
Once the crescent is credibly sighted, the Supreme Court will declare the first day of Ramadan, which is anticipated to fall on either Wednesday, February eighteenth or Thursday, February nineteenth, depending on the outcome of Tuesday’s observations.
The official announcement will be issued after the committee reviews reported sightings.
The Kingdom’s call reflects the deep spiritual and communal significance of moon sighting in Islam, as millions of Muslims prepare for a month of fasting from dawn to sunset, increased prayer and acts of charity.
Observers are encouraged to participate in this time-honoured ritual, which not only determines the beginning of the fasting period but also reinforces shared religious identity and collective anticipation.
Astronomical forecasts suggest that the crescent moon may be difficult to observe on the evening of February seventeenth, with many experts indicating that visibility conditions could favour sighting only later in the week.
Should the moon not be confirmed on Tuesday, Islamic tradition dictates that the month of Sha’ban be completed as thirty days, and Ramadan would commence on Thursday, February nineteenth.
Saudi Arabia’s announcement has been echoed by other Muslim communities and authorities preparing for Ramadan, highlighting both traditional practices and contemporary astronomical considerations.
As believers look skyward next week, the sighting of the crescent will set in motion a sacred period of reflection, discipline and communal cohesion across the Kingdom and beyond.
