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COTABATO CITY/MANILA, February 17, 2026 (SDN) — Highly anticipated by the estimated 1.6 billion-strong Ummah (global Muslim community), Islam’s holiest month of fasting begins on Thursday, February 19.
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) made separate announcements that a nationwide moonsighting activity conducted by the two government entities this early evening did not yield a sighting of the “Hilal” (the new crescent moon whose appearance signals the first day of every month of the Hijrah, or Islamic calendar.
Headed by Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim, the NCMF collaborated with the Daryl Ifta (House of Opinion) of the Bangsamoro government under the leadership of Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua, as well as a number of Ulama groups, and with assistance from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA).
“As such, it is hereby officially declared that the Ramadhan 1446 Hijrah will commence on Febrairy February 19, 2026,” the NCMF announced shortly after collating the results of the moonsighting activities.
Over in Cotabato City, capital of the BARMM, Bangsamoro Mufti Abdulrauf A. Guialani, also made an announcement “that crescent MOON was NOT SIGHTED TODAY (emphasis supplied). Therefore, Ramadhan Fasting 2026 will officially commence on Thursday, February 19, 2026, In sha Allah (God willing).”
At the NCMF, the National Moonsighting Committee is under the Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs (BCMA) headed by Director Benrajiv Kashim.
The traditional moonsighting is conducted from late afternoon until sunset as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did in his time using only the naked eye.
However, in the modern times, scholars of Islamic have allowed the use of technology like telescopes in sighting of the crescent moon.
Guialani, head of the BARMM Daryl Ifta, cited a saying of Islam’s prophet.
“Whenever you sight the new moon (of the month of Ramadhan) observe fast, and when you sight it (the new moon of Shawwal) break it, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then observe fast for thirty days.”
Abdurahim recalled another prophetic saying: “Whoever fasts during Ramadhan with faith and seeking reward, all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Source: Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
Sawm, the fasting in Ramadhan, the month month of the lunar-based Hijrah, is the third of the five pillars of Islam.
The obligatory five pillars are 1. Shahaddah (Profession of Faith) 2, Salah (Five Daily Prayers) 3. Sawm 4. Zakat (Obligatory Charity) 5. Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia).
Bangsamoro Chief Minister Macacua joined the BARMM group in Cotabato City in the moonsighting activity.
“Tonight, I am with the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta BARMM led by Grand Mufti Abdulrauf Guialani in looking for the moon to signal the start of Ramadhan.
” It is my prayers that we will be more united and stronger in faith as Ummah towards a stable Bangsamoro,” the interim chief minister says. — EDD K. USMAN (®)