Saudi Arabia’s official moon-sighting committees have confirmed that the crescent moon marking the start of Shaaban 1447 AH was not sighted on the evening of January 18, 2026. Based on this observation, authorities declared that Monday, January 19, will complete the month of Rajab with 30 days, and the new Islamic month of Shaaban will commence on Tuesday, January 20.
The announcement has drawn attention as Shaaban directly precedes Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. During Ramadan, Muslims across the world observe fasting from dawn until sunset, along with increased prayers and acts of charity. The exact start date of Ramadan depends on the sighting of the crescent moon that marks the beginning of the month.
In the Islamic lunar calendar, each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. If the moon is not visible on the 29th day of a month, the month is extended to 30 days. This practice ensures consistency in the lunar calendar and plays a key role in determining religious observances.
The non-sighting of the Shaaban crescent means that the timeline leading up to Ramadan shifts slightly. While this does not confirm a delay in Ramadan itself, it does influence the expected dates for the moon sighting that will mark the start of the fasting month. Religious authorities will conduct fresh moon-sighting efforts at the end of Shaaban to determine the exact beginning of Ramadan.
Saudi Arabia’s announcements often serve as a reference point for many countries, including several in South Asia and the Middle East. However, individual nations may rely on their own moon-sighting committees to confirm dates based on local observations. As a result, the start of Ramadan can sometimes vary by one day across different regions.
Islamic scholars have advised worshippers to wait for official confirmations before making preparations for Ramadan-related observances. The period of Shaaban is traditionally seen as a time of spiritual preparation, during which many Muslims increase voluntary fasting and prayer in anticipation of Ramadan.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia have reiterated that updates regarding the sighting of the Ramadan crescent will be issued after the completion of Shaaban. Until then, speculation about the exact start date remains premature.
The confirmation regarding the start of Shaaban highlights the importance of moon sighting in Islamic tradition and its continued relevance in guiding religious practices. As the Islamic calendar progresses, believers around the world will closely follow official announcements to plan their observances for the upcoming holy month.
