Spiritually Uplifting Scenes as First Taraweeh Prayers Held in Makkah and Madinah
Heart-touching and spiritually uplifting scenes were witnessed during the first Taraweeh prayers of Ramadan at Masjid al-Haram and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi.
Thousands of worshippers from around the world gathered at the two holy mosques, offering prayers and prostrating before Allah. Special supplications were made expressing gratitude for witnessing the blessed month of Ramadan and seeking forgiveness and mercy.
Surat Al-Baqarah | Ayah 185 – 186 | Shaykh Abdul Rahman Sudais pic.twitter.com/1VZEzcZjRv
— 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@HaramainInfo) February 18, 2026
The crescent moon marking the beginning of Ramadan has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine and Afghanistan, where Muslims are observing the first fast today.
The Makkah Grand Mosque from the highest point of the Clock Tower on the first night of the blessed month of Ramadan 1447 AH 🌙 pic.twitter.com/SKyxsMXbdG
— Saudi Expatriates (@saudiexpat) February 17, 2026
Meanwhile, Muslims in Turkey, Sweden, Australia, Egypt, Oman, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, France and Japan will observe their first fast on Thursday.
In United States, Canada, Belgium and United Kingdom, the Muslim community remains divided, with some beginning Ramadan today while others will start fasting on Thursday.
