Ramadan 2026 dates ANNOUNCED: Moon sighting likely to begin on THIS date of February, fasting expected to last 13 hrs and 25 minutes each day

The UAE has officially announced that Ramadan 2026 will start on Thursday, February 19, after the new crescent moon was sighted across the country. Moon-sighting committees, working alongside astronomers, confirmed the beginning of the holy month – a time of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection for Muslims. The UAE Moon-Sighting Committee, formally known as the Shawwal Moon-Sighting Committee plays a vital role in marking key Islamic dates. It oversees the sighting of the crescent moon that signals the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal, when Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Fitr.

The committee is led by His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, President of the UAE Council for Fatwa, and includes respected scholars, Islamic jurists, and astronomers.

Ramadan 2026: What astronomers say

Experts from the Emirates Astronomy Society had earlier predicted that Ramadan would likely begin on February 19, 2026. Their forecast was based on the expected birth of the new crescent moon on Tuesday, February 17, at 4:01 PM UAE time, according to a report in TOI.

However, astronomers noted that the moon would set just one minute after sunset on that day, making it impossible to see that evening. As a result, Ramadan is set to officially begin two days later, on Thursday, once confirmed by the UAE’s official moon-sighting committees.

Ramadan 2026: Fasting hours and duration

At the start of Ramadan in Abu Dhabi, fasting is expected to last about 12 hours and 46 minutes each day. As the month continues and daylight hours grow longer, fasting time will gradually increase to around 13 hours and 25 minutes by the end of Ramadan, the TOI report stated. This change follows the extension of daylight from 11 hours and 32 minutes to 12 hours and 12 minutes during the month.

Weather prediction during Ramadan 2026

In the early days of Ramadan, Abu Dhabi’s temperatures are expected to stay between 16°C and 28°C, influenced by cool northern winds that linger from winter. Toward the end of the month, the weather will likely warm up, ranging between 19 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius, as spring patterns and westerly winds develop.

Rain is also possible throughout the holy month, with average rainfall of around 15 millimeters.