Ramadan 2026 In India: Ramadan 2026 in India is expected to begin this week, but the exact start still depends on the moon. Committees across the country will look for the crescent after Maghrib on February 18. If the moon is seen, Muslims in India will begin the first Roza on February 19.
The uncertainty has made Wednesday evening important for many families planning prayers and meals. After Saudi Arabia confirmed the start of Ramadan 1447 AH on February 18, attention shifted to local announcements. India usually begins fasting a day after Gulf nations, so expectations are high for Thursday.
Ramadan 2026 Moon Sighting Timings In India
For Ramadan 2026 moon sighting, Saudi Arabia and nearby Gulf states report seeing the crescent on the evening of 17 February 2026. Their official religious authority therefore begins Ramadan on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, with worshippers starting dawn-to-sunset fasting and nightly prayers from that date.
Muslim communities in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries plan local viewing for 18 February 2026, between about 6:15 PM and 6:45 PM. If the sky is clear and the crescent appears, fasting for Ramadan 2026 moon sighting is likely to begin on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
Ramadan 2026: First Roza Date In India & Across The World
Across Europe, including the United Kingdom, many mosques will also search for the crescent on 18 February 2026. Several groups in these regions expect the first fast on 19 February, though some may follow the Saudi declaration for Ramadan 2026 moon sighting rather than local visibility.
In the United States and wider North America, moon-sighting committees usually rely on regional observation. Many of them plan to check the horizon on 18 February 2026. If the hilal is visible, communities will probably start fasting on 19 February, aligning with much of Europe for Ramadan 2026 moon sighting.
Canada and Australia face wider distances and varied weather, so Ramadan 2026 moon sighting may occur anywhere from the evening of 18 to 19 February 2026. Most forecasts still point to 19 February as the likely first fasting day, pending final announcements from local Islamic councils.
| Region / Country | Expected Crescent Sighting Time | Likely First Fasting Day | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Evening of Feb 17 2026 | Feb 18 2026 | Moon sighted; Ramadan begins according to official religious authority. |
| UAE and Gulf Countries | Evening of Feb 17 | Feb 18 2026 | Follows Saudi announcement and committee confirmation. |
| India and South Asia | Feb 18 2026, ~6:15–6:45 PM local time | Feb 19 2026 (likely) | Crescent due to visibility and local sighting tradition. |
| United Kingdom / Europe | Feb 18 2026 (viewing) | Feb 19 2026 (likely) | Some communities follow local sighting, others follow Saudi declaration. |
| United States / North America | Feb 18 2026 (viewing) | Feb 19 2026 (likely) | North American moon-sighting bodies often align with local observation. |
| Canada / Australia | Feb 18–19 2026 | Feb 19 2026 (likely) | Depending on local visibility and announcements. |
Officials stress that these dates for Ramadan 2026 moon sighting remain provisional, because Islamic practice ties the start of fasting to the actual crescent. Final decisions usually arrive after maghrib on the 29th of Shaban, once testimony from observers or committee reports has been checked and confirmed.
Religious basis for Ramadan 2026 moon sighting and fasting rules
The importance of Ramadan 2026 moon sighting comes from teachings linked directly to Prophet Muhammad SAW. Scholars point to well-known hadith texts that guide Muslims on when to begin and end fasting, placing emphasis on physically seeing the crescent or completing thirty days of the previous month.
In an authentic hadith recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari, the Prophet SAW said, “Fast when you see it (the crescent) and break your fast when you see it, and if it is obscured from you, then complete thirty days of Sha’ban.” (Bukhari 1909). A similar narration in Sahih Muslim states, “Do not fast until you see the crescent, and do not break the fast until you see it.”
Another narration often quoted in discussions on Ramadan 2026 moon sighting states: “The month (can be) 29 nights (i.e. days), and do not fast till you see the moon, and if the sky is overcast, then complete Sha’ban as thirty days.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1907, Book 30, Hadith 17).
A further report by Abu Huraira is also widely cited in fiqh discussions. Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger SAW as saying, “Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break (fast) on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is cloudy for you, then complete the number (of thirty).” (Reference: Sahih Muslim 1081b, in-book reference: Book 13, Hadith 21).
Why Ramadan 2026 moon sighting may differ between countries
Experts explain that geography, horizon angle and weather all affect the outcome of Ramadan 2026 moon sighting efforts. The crescent often appears first over Gulf regions, where sunset times and clear skies may give better conditions. Other areas sometimes need an extra day until the thin arc becomes visible to observers.
Because of these factors, neighbouring countries can differ by one day when declaring Ramadan 2026 moon sighting results. Some communities base their decision on astronomical calculations and central announcements. Others insist on testimony from trusted local people who scan the sky after maghrib prayers in each location.
Despite these variations, believers highlight that everyone follows the same lunar month. For many, acting on local Ramadan 2026 moon sighting reports shows obedience to the Prophetic method. For others, aligning with a larger authority supports a practical sense of unity, even if visibility conditions vary from region to region.
Spiritual meaning of Ramadan 2026 moon sighting and daily worship
Ramadan, marked by the first confirmed hilal and by Ramadan 2026 moon sighting decisions, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Healthy adults fast from suhoor at dawn until iftar at sunset. They avoid food, drink, smoking and marital relations, using the day-long hunger to build self-control and feel closer to those in hardship.
The month encourages extra devotion, including frequent Quran recitation, longer individual supplications and Taraweeh prayers at night. Giving zakat and voluntary sadaqah also increases during this time. When the next crescent appears and Ramadan ends, Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Fitr with congregational prayers, meals and visits to relatives and neighbours.
Ramadan 2026 moon sighting is also a community event. Families often gather after maghrib, watching the horizon or waiting for announcements. When the first sliver is confirmed, many greet each other with “Ramadan Mubarak”, marking the beginning of a period of spiritual reflection, discipline and shared worship across cities and villages.
The lunar calendar means the date of Ramadan 2026 moon sighting shifts about 10 to 11 days earlier than the previous year. This moving schedule links acts of worship with the changing seasons. Many Muslims say that simply following committee updates or witnessing the hilal themselves strengthens a feeling of connection from Riyadh to Mumbai, London and New York.
While debates over methods continue, most scholars agree that the core message of Ramadan 2026 moon sighting is obedience and unity. Whether following local observation or central announcements, Muslims enter the same month of fasting, prayer, charity and reflection, guided by the appearance of the crescent and by long-established religious teachings.