Ramadan 2026: Saudi Arabia, UAE 'fighting' over crescent moon; fasting on different days, when in India?

Riyadh: The month of Ramadan may begin separately this year in two powerful Gulf neighbors, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The two countries share a border, but there is disagreement regarding the sighting of the moon. Top astronomers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have stated that the moon will not be visible on Tuesday, February 17. Saudi Arabia may announce the sighting of the moon and the beginning of Ramadan on the same day. Experts are linking this issue to tensions between the two countries, which have been strained in recent months.

According to Middle East Eye, this year the United Arab Emirates may break tradition and begin Ramadan a day after Saudi Arabia. For years, Saudi Arabia has claimed the sighting of the moon on certain days when scientists and astronomers say it is impossible to see the moon. However, Saudi officials have ignored these criticisms.

Why is there controversy over the moon?

Muslims follow a lunar calendar, which has 12 months, each of 29 or 30 days. The beginning of the month of Ramadan depends on the sighting of the moon. Saudi Arabia uses a calendar called the Umm al-Qura, which is based on calculations. This calendar marks specific dates years in advance.

According to the Umm al-Qura calendar, the first day of Ramadan this year will be on Wednesday, February 18th. Meanwhile, the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST) at Sharjah University in the UAE has stated that it would be scientifically impossible to see the crescent moon on Tuesday, February 17. Therefore, Ramadan will begin on Thursday, February 19.

What is the UAE's decision?

Abu Dhabi astronomer Mohammed Odeh has stated that the moon will not be visible in the UAE or Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia is expected to announce the start of Ramadan on Wednesday. It will be interesting to see whether the UAE will start Ramadan at the same time as Saudi Arabia or will not observe it.

In India, Ramadan usually begins a day after Saudi Arabia. The Ramadan moon is expected to be sighted in Saudi Arabia on February 17, 2026. Consequently, the first fast in Saudi Arabia will be observed on February 18. In India, the first fast may be observed on Thursday, February 19. However, this will be decided only after the moon is sighted.