Ramadan Preparations Underway as Muslims Await Crescent Moon Sighting
News Updated: 16 February 2026 12:58 EAT
Muslims across the country are preparing for the holy month of Ramadan, with the start date expected on Tuesday or Wednesday depending on the official sighting of the crescent moon. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is regarded as the most sacred period in Islam. Its commencement is determined by the visibility of the new crescent, meaning religious authorities will confirm the exact date after sunset observations.
The month commemorates the period when the Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE in present-day Saudi Arabia. The event marks a defining moment in Islamic history and forms the spiritual foundation of the observance. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, requiring adult Muslims to abstain from food, drink and other physical needs from dawn until sunset, except for those exempted due to health, travel or other valid reasons.
Because the Islamic calendar follows a lunar cycle of approximately 354 or 355 days, Ramadan shifts earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar by about 10 to 12 days. The beginning of the month depends on the sighting of the hilal, or new crescent moon, on the 29th day of Sha’ban. If the moon is not sighted, the month completes 30 days before Ramadan begins.
During the holy month, Muslims increase prayer, charity and recitation of the Qur’an. Special nightly prayers known as Tarawih are held in mosques, and many aim to complete the full reading of the Qur’an over the course of the month. Each fasting day begins with a pre-dawn meal known as suhoor and ends at sunset with iftar, traditionally starting with dates and water.
The final ten days carry heightened spiritual importance, particularly Laylat al-Qadr, believed to be the night the first Qur’anic revelation occurred. Ramadan concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, marked by communal prayers, charitable giving and family gatherings, symbolizing the end of fasting and the renewal of faith and community bonds.
Tags: Article Editor's Pick Muslims Signs Media Kenya Limited Signsmedia
Share this article
FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD