MANILA, Philippines – Opisyal na magsisimula ang banal na buwan ng Ramadan sa Pilipinas sa Huwebes, Pebrero 19, 2026, matapos na walang crescent moon na makita noong Martes ng gabi, ayon sa National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).
“The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), as the national government agency tasked with providing accurate information regarding the concerns and welfare of Muslim Filipinos, hereby announces that , based on the results of the moon sighting activities conducted by the NCMF, in coordination with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Darul Ifta and various Ulama groups, as well as the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the Moon (Hilal) was not sighted,” ayon sa ahensya.
“As such, it is hereby officially declared that the Ramadhan 1447 Hijrah will commence on Thursday, February 19, 2026,” dagdag nito.
Inihayag ni Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani ng Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’ ang pagsisimula ng Ramadan sa Shariff Kabuksuan Cultural Complex sa Bangsamoro Government Center matapos matanggap ang mga ulat ng moon sighting mula sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Bangsamoro, Manila Bay, General Santos City, at mga lalawigan ng Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, at Sulu.
“So whoever sights (the new moon of) the month (of Ramadan), let him fast it,” Qur’an’s Surah Al-Baqarah Chapter Two (2) Verse 185 stipulates,” sinabi ng Grand Mufti.
Ang Ramadan ang pinakabanal na buwan sa Islamic calendar, kung saan nag-aayuno ang mga Muslim mula madaling araw hanggang paglubog ng araw at nagsasagawa ng panalangin. Ipinagdiriwang ng mga Muslim sa Pilipinas ang pagsisimula nito sa pamamagitan ng panalangin at sabayang pagputol ng ayuno o iftar matapos ang paglubog ng araw.
“To our Muslim Filipinos and to all our Muslim brothers and sisters living and working across the Philippines, we extend our warmest and most inclusive greetings as we welcome this blessed month of Ramadan. This sacred time reminds us that faith is strengthened through patience, compassion, and sincere devotion. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, all his past sins will be forgiven” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim),” pagbati ni NCMF Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim sa mga Muslim.
“May this divine promise inspire us to renew our hearts, uplift one another, and walk together in mercy, unity, and peace,” dagdag niya.
Ipinaalala rin ng NCMF na maaaring magpatupad ng flexible working hours ang mga Muslim na nagtatrabaho sa mga tanggapan ng gobyerno sa panahon ng Ramadan. Batay sa Civil Service resolution noong 1981, maaaring pumasok ang mga Muslim government workers mula 7:30 a.m. hanggang 3:30 p.m. nang walang noon break, at ang dalawang oras na pagkakaiba ay hindi ituturing na undertime. Santi Celario
