Sharjah Observatory sights Ramadan crescent with advanced tech

February 17, 2026 / 9:12 PM

Sharjah24: Professor Mashhoor Al Wardat, Director of Academic Affairs at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology, announced that the Sharjah Astronomical Observatory is ready to sight the crescent moon of the Holy Month of Ramadan in response to the call from the UAE Council for Fatwa.

Professor Al Wardat said the observatory took part in the Ramadan crescent sighting process, supporting the national effort to confirm the start of the holy month.

Advanced telescopes and equipment

He explained that the academy operates some of the most advanced mobile observatories in the Middle East. The equipment includes a 17-inch reflecting telescope, an 18-cm refractor telescope, and a 10-cm refractor telescope. These instruments enable the team to track the moon’s path with high precision at sunset and to detect the crescent on the horizon.

Ramadan confirmed in the UAE

The UAE Council for Fatwa officially announced the confirmed sighting of the Ramadan crescent on Tuesday evening, declaring Wednesday, 18 February 2026, as the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan 1447 AH in the country.