Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday announced the sighting of the Ramazan crescent, confirming that the first fast will be observed on Wednesday.

In Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia said the sighting was confirmed after verified testimonies were received by authorised moon sighting committees across the kingdom.

Following the announcement, preparations for Taraweeh prayers and fasting began nationwide, while adjustments to official and private-sector working hours were also initiated.

The UAE’s Presidential Court separately confirmed the moon sighting after approval by the country’s moon sighting committee, declaring Wednesday as the first day of Ramazan.

Authorities said arrangements for worship, Sehri and Iftar had been finalised across the country.

Qatar and Kuwait also announced that Ramadzan will begin on Wednesday, February 18, following confirmed sightings of the crescent moon.

In contrast, the crescent was not sighted on Tuesday evening in several countries across Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

As a result, Ramazan will begin on Thursday, February 19, in Oman, Indonesia and Turkiye.

Governments in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan also announced that the moon was not sighted, confirming Thursday as the first fast.

Brunei and the Philippines likewise said Ramazan would begin on February 19.

In Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Iran, Tuesday marked the 28th of Shaban, making a moon sighting announcement due on Wednesday.

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet on Wednesday to sight the Ramazan moon in Pakistan.

According to the spokesperson for SUPARCO, there is a strong likelihood that the first fast in Pakistan will be observed on February 19, subject to moon sighting confirmation.