Ramadan 2026 Begins Today in the Philippines as No Crescent Moon Was Sighted
The holy month of Ramadan has officially commenced in the Philippines on Thursday, February 19, 2026, after the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) declared that no crescent moon was sighted on Tuesday night.
The NCMF, acting as the national government agency responsible for Muslim Filipino welfare, made its official declaration following moon-sighting activities conducted in coordination with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Darul Ifta, various Ulama groups, and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
'As such, it is hereby officially declared that the Ramadhan 1447 Hijrah will commence on Thursday, February 19, 2026,' the NCMF announced.
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani of the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta' (BDI) made the formal announcement at the Shariff Kabuksuan Cultural Complex (SKCC) in the Bangsamoro Government Center, after receiving moon-sighting reports from teams across the Bangsamoro region and in Manila Bay, General Santos City, and the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and Sulu.
Moon sighting, or hilal sighting, marks the start of each new Islamic lunar month. The Islamic calendar follows the moon's cycles — if no crescent moon is observed, the ongoing month is extended before the next one begins, which is why the NCMF's announcement on Tuesday night pushed the start of Ramadan to Thursday.
Ramadan is the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar. During this period, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, intensify prayer, and engage in acts of worship, charity, and reflection. The communal breaking of the fast — known as iftar — takes place each evening after sunset.
NCMF Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim extended warm greetings to Filipino Muslims and all Muslims living and working across the Philippines. 'This sacred time reminds us that faith is strengthened through patience, compassion, and sincere devotion,' he said in a statement, citing the hadith: 'Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, all his past sins will be forgiven' (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
To accommodate Muslim government workers during the fasting month, the NCMF reminded agencies that a 1981 Civil Service resolution allows Muslim employees to work from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. without a noon break during Ramadan, with the two-hour difference not counted as undertime.
'May this divine promise inspire us to renew our hearts, uplift one another, and walk together in mercy, unity, and peace,' Secretary Abdurahim added.
Source: GMA News (https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/976891/ramadan-in-ph-to-start-on-thursday-feb-19-2026/story/)
