The countdown to Ramadan has begun after the crescent moon of Rajab, the seventh month in the Hijri calendar, was sighted in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Rajab is the seventh month in the Islamic calendar and marks the beginning of the final spiritual approach toward Ramadan.
The stunning crescent was seen on Saturday at UAE local time 4.30 pm, according to Khaleej Times. Ramadan is expected to begin in approximately 60 to 61 days, subject to official moon sightings, if both Rajab and Sha’ban run their customary 29 to 30 days.
The sighting is important because it starts the countdown to Ramadan. The start of Rajab and the subsequent months of Shaban and Ramadan traditionally rely on both astronomical calculations and physical moon sightings. If both Rajab and Sha’ban run their customary 29 to 30 days, Ramadan is expected to begin in approximately 60 to 61 days, subject to official moon sightings.
Ramadan is Islam's holiest month of fasting and devotion.
In South Asian countries, Ramadan is likely to start on February 19 or 20, 2026, and Eid al Fitr 2026 in these countries will most likely be celebrated on March 20 or 21, 2026, based on sighting of Ramadan and Eid moons. However, the exact start date and time of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr celebrations will have to be confirmed by the Moon-sighting committees.
