Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has urged Muslims across the Kingdom to observe the crescent moon of Ramadan on the evening of Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (Shaaban 29, 1447 AH), reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
In a statement, the Saudi Supreme Court called on those who sight the crescent, either with the naked eye or through binoculars, to notify their nearest court and record their testimony, or to contact a local center for assistance in reaching a court.
Sighting the crescent moon on Tuesday evening means that Ramadan will start on February 18. If not seen, Ramadan will begin on Thursday, February 19.
The International Astronomy Center (IAC) issued a detailed safety advisory on February 13 warning against the use of telescopes or binoculars for Tuesday’s sighting without professional solar filters.
In a statement, it explained that the moon will be positioned extremely close to the sun – at an angular separation of roughly one degree – meaning that any attempt to locate the crescent with optical aids carries a high risk of permanent eye damage or blindness.
The IAC emphasized that the sun’s proximity also poses a threat to sensitive equipment, urging the public and amateur observers to prioritize safety over traditional sighting methods.
Furthermore, prominent Saudi astronomer Mulham Hindi, a researcher at King Abdulaziz University, highlighted the extreme difficulty of this year’s sighting, noting that in many Saudi cities, the moon will actually set before or alongside the sun on Tuesday evening. Given these conditions, scientific models suggest a visible crescent will be non-existent.
