Bangsamoro Darul Ifta' Confirms Ramadan Moon-Sighting for 2026 Start
The Bangsamoro Darul Ifta' (BDI-Barmm) has officially confirmed that the moon-sighting activity to determine the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan 1447H will be held on February 17, 2026. This critical ritual will establish whether the first day of fasting falls on Wednesday, February 18, or, if the crescent moon is not observed, on Thursday, February 19, 2026, across the region.
Moon-Sighting Event Details and Guidelines
The primary observation will take place at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex within the Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City, with simultaneous efforts in key areas nationwide. Bangsamoro Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf A. Guialani will lead the event, issuing the formal pronouncement on Ramadan's commencement after verifying reports from authorized moon-sighting teams.
In its guidelines, the Darul-Ifta' emphasized strict protocols: each team must be headed by an assigned leader with final authority, and only specifically designated personnel may operate the telescope to ensure confidentiality. Unauthorized individuals are prohibited from handling the equipment, underscoring the ritual's solemnity and precision.
Significance and History of Ramadan in the Philippines
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed globally by Muslims as a sacred period of fasting, prayer, spiritual reflection, and charity. Fasting from dawn to sunset, known as sawm, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, fostering self-discipline, empathy for the less fortunate, and spiritual renewal.
In the Philippines, moon-sighting has historically been central to determining Ramadan's start. Recent years have seen coordinated observations by religious leaders and committees across Mindanao, Metro Manila, and other regions. For example, in 2025, when the crescent was not sighted, Ramadan began on March 2. Muslim communities, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), Mindanao, and parts of the Visayas and Luzon, uphold this lunar tradition as both a religious obligation and a communal event, featuring practices like tarawih prayers, increased Qur'an recitation, and iftar gatherings.
Community Practices and Broader Implications
The Bangsamoro Darul Ifta' highlighted the moon-sighting ritual's importance, aligning with Islamic tradition where the new moon's sighting dictates the month's start. If adverse conditions prevent observation, the lunar month of Sha'ban is completed over 30 days before Ramadan begins. This event also marks the opening of the 2026 Barmm Ramadan Qur'anic Reading and Memorization Competition, uniting Muslim faithful in spiritual unity as they welcome Ramadan with gratitude and renewed faith commitment.
Communities nationwide are urged to stay informed via official announcements regarding the moon-sighting results, which will determine the exact start of the fasting period for Muslims in the Philippines and beyond, reinforcing the ritual's role in fostering communal harmony and religious observance.
