London Mosques Officially Declare Start of Ramadan 2026 Following Saudi Calendar
The holy month of Ramadan has commenced in London for those adhering to the Saudi Arabian calendar, with prominent mosques across the capital announcing official start dates and comprehensive prayer timetables. The East London Mosque and London Central Mosque have both confirmed Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan 1447, aligning with the Umm-al Qura calendar used by Saudi authorities.
Astronomical Observations and Calendar Alignment
This declaration follows Saudi officials accepting evidence that the initial faint crescent of the new moon was spotted at the Tumair observatory. Consequently, they determined that Ramadan 2026 would see its first complete day of fasting on Wednesday, February 18. Since Islamic days operate from sunset to sunset, the holy month technically began on the evening of Tuesday, February 17, with the first special Taraweeh prayers conducted that night.
The announcement arrived despite some astronomical predictions indicating the crescent might not be observable globally on Tuesday evening. However, it corresponds precisely with projections in Saudi Arabia's advance calendar of significant Islamic dates. This development highlights the ongoing interplay between traditional moon sighting practices and modern astronomical calculations in determining Islamic months.
Comprehensive Prayer and Fasting Timetables Released
The East London Mosque has published a complete Ramadan timetable on their website, including detailed prayer times along with specific Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (evening meal) schedules. For Wednesday, February 18, the timetable indicates Suhoor should have concluded by 5:29 AM, with Iftar scheduled to begin at 5:24 PM. The mosque notes that these prayer times apply to anyone residing within the M25 orbital motorway surrounding London.
In their official guidance, the East London Mosque recommends that worshippers follow the ruling of their local mosque if it differs from their announcement. The timetable is also available as a mobile application, making it more convenient for London Muslims to access accurate timings throughout the holy month.
Spiritual Practices and Charitable Opportunities
During Ramadan, Muslims engage in increased worship and charitable giving. The East London Mosque has advised worshippers on ways they can give Sadaqh, a form of charitable donation believed to "wipe away sins" during this sacred period. Additional information about Sadaqh donations is available on the mosque's official website.
The special Taraweeh prayers that occur during Ramadan evenings represent a voluntary sixth service beyond the five daily compulsory prayers. These prayers can continue throughout the night until shortly before dawn and involve reciting lengthy passages from the Quran. Islamic tradition holds that performing these prayers can lead to forgiveness of past sins.
Potential for Divided Start Across the UK
Meanwhile, other Muslim communities across the United Kingdom who do not follow Saudi declarations will be searching for the crescent moon on Wednesday evening, when it's anticipated to be clearly visible weather permitting. Should a confirmed sighting occur, this would indicate Ramadan would begin on Thursday, February 19, for those following local moon sighting traditions.
The Greenwich Royal Observatory will host a live moonsighting event on their website beginning at 5:30 PM, featuring experts searching for the moon while providing commentary on the connection between astronomy and Islam. Today's Saudi announcement suggests Ramadan 2026 may once again see a divided start between communities following different calendrical methods.
As London's Muslim community embarks on this month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, mosques across the capital have prepared extensive resources to support worshippers through this spiritually significant period.
