COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’ (BDI) has officially announced that the holy month of Ramadan will commence on Thursday, February 19, 2026, after the crescent moon (hilal) was not sighted during nationwide observations on Tuesday evening.
The announcement was made by Bangsamoro Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf A. Guialani following synchronized moon-sighting activities conducted across strategic locations in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and other parts of the country, including Manila Bay.
“By the authority vested in me as Bangsamoro Mufti, I hereby announce that the crescent moon was not sighted today,” Guialani stated. In accordance with Islamic tradition, since the moon was not visible on the 29th day of the current month, the month of Sha’ban will be completed to 30 days. This makes Wednesday, February 18, the final day of Sha’ban, with the formal fasting period beginning at dawn on Thursday.
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) released a concurrent statement confirming the results. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also extended his greetings to the Muslim community, urging the faithful to use the sacred month as a time for “kindness, understanding, and empowerment.”
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a deeply spiritual time for millions of Muslims in the Philippines. For 29 to 30 days, adult Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset, focusing instead on prayer, self-discipline, and acts of charity.
This year’s start is particularly notable as it coincides with the Christian observance of Ash Wednesday, which also falls on February 18. Religious leaders have called the overlapping seasons of Lent and Ramadan a “shared grace,” inviting both faiths to walk together in a season of reflection and service to the poor.