Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Erik Tenedero

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATE) -- The holy month of Ramadan in the Philippines will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026, according to the Bangsamoro Grand Mufti.Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani made the announcement on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, after the assigned groups performed moon sighting all over the country.&quot;By the authority vested in me as Bangsamoro Mufti, I, Abdulrauf Guialani, hereby announce that the crescent moon was not sighted. Therefore, tomorrow is the 30th day of Shaaban 1447, and the first day of Ramadan fasting 2026 will officially commence on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Ramadan al mubarak,&quot; the grand mufti said.Meanwhile, the secretary of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Sabuddin Abdruhim also extended his greetings to all Filipino Muslims during this sacred period.&quot;We extend our warmest and most inclusive greetings as we welcome this blessed month of Ramadan. This sacred time reminds us that faith is strengthened through patience, compassion, and sincere devotion,&quot; Abdurahim said.&quot;May this divine promise inspire us to renew our hearts, uplift one another, and walk together in mercy, unity, and peace.&quot;The date of the start of Ramadan varies in different countries since it depends on lunar sighting in each respective location: &quot;Fast when you see it (the crescent of Ramadan) and break the fast when you see it (the crescent of Shawwal).&quot;In Saudi Arabia, Ramadan fasting will start on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Southeast Asian neighbors Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei will mark the beginning of Ramadan on Thursday along with the Philippines.Ramadan is the ninth month in the Hijri or the Islamic calendar.  Marked as a period of fasting and praying, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset.Exemptions include those who are physically or mentally ill, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and elderly people if fasting will cause their health to deteriorate further.Muslims also abstain from smoking and engaging in any sexual activity during the holy month of Ramadan.Meanwhile, Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. The announcement of the date will also be announced by the mufti based on the result of the moon sighting at that time.

The holy month of Ramadan in the Philippines will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026, according to the Bangsamoro Grand Mufti.

The holy month of Ramadan in the Philippines will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026, according to the Bangsamoro Grand Mufti.

Moon not sighted: Ramadan 2026 in PH to begin on Feb. 19

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Moon not sighted: Ramadan 2026 in PH to begin on Feb. 19

Erik Tenedero,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 17, 2026 08:22 PM PHT

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Updated Feb 17, 2026 10:58 PM PHT

Read More:

Ramadan

Bangsamoro Darul Ifta

Islam

Bangsamoro Grand Mufti

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