After the sighting of the moon, the holy month begins and for the next 30 days, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. Representational file image. | Photo credit: The Hindu
Ramzan fasts will begin on Thursday (February 19, 2026) in India as the crescent moon marking the beginning of the fasting month was sighted on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) in several parts of the country.
After the sighting of the moon, the holy month begins and for the next 30 days, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.
Shahi Imam of Chandni Chowk’s Fatehpuri Mosque, Maulana Mufti Mukarram Ahmed, announced that the crescent moon has been sighted and the month of fasting will begin from February 19.
Naib Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Shaban Bukhari also stated that the moon was sighted.
During this month, a special prayer called Taraweeh is offered in mosques at night. In this prayer, the entire Quran is recited and continues until the sighting of the Eid moon.
Mufti Mukarram has appealed to the Muslim community to “pray as much as possible for the well-being of the country’s 140 crore people”.
Published – February 18, 2026 07:48 pm IST