Ramadan 2026 Qatar: Moon Sighting Committee Sits Today on Feb 17

Qatar urges public moon sighting for Ramadan 2026 on Tuesday evening, February 17, after Maghrib. Committee meets at Dafna Towers headquarters. If crescent seen, fasting begins Wednesday, February 18. Experts predict impossible sighting, so Ramadan likely starts Thursday, February 19. Official word expected tonight.

Qatar’s Crescent Sighting Committee calls Muslims to look for the Ramadan crescent moon this evening, February 17, 2026. This sighting on 29 Sha’ban 1447 AH decides if Ramadan 2026 starts tomorrow or Thursday.

Today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, marks 29 Sha’ban 1447 AH in Qatar. The Crescent Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs schedules its meeting this evening.

The committee convenes at headquarters in Dafna Towers right after Maghrib prayer. Authorities encourage all Muslims in Qatar to search for the Ramadan crescent moon tonight. If you sight it with the naked eye or binoculars, head to Dafna headquarters. Testify in person to the committee.

The committee reviews all testimonies quickly. It broadcasts the official announcement soon after. If confirmed tonight, Ramadan 2026 begins tomorrow, Wednesday, February 18. If no sighting happens, Sha’ban reaches 30 days. Ramadan starts Thursday, February 19.

Qatar Calendar House notes the crescent birth at 3:02 PM Doha time today. It sets just one minute after sunset. Experts say a one-minute lag makes naked-eye sighting almost impossible. Many predict Wednesday as the 30th of Sha’ban. Thursday, February 19, becomes the first day of Ramadan.

Neighboring countries like Oman and Turkey already lean toward February 19 based on calculations. The committee finalizes after testimonies. We wait for Qatar’s official Ramadan 2026 start date declaration tonight.