A rare annular solar eclipse will occur on February 17, 2026, coinciding with the sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon in the Arab and Islamic world.
On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, while countries in the Arab and Islamic world prepare to sight the crescent moon of Ramadan, another part of the Earth will witness the first solar eclipse of the year. This eclipse will reach its final phases just minutes before sunset in some cities, creating a striking juxtaposition between a scientific astronomical event and the moon sighting associated with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
The annular solar eclipse is particularly notable as it presents the sun in a breathtaking 'ring of fire' formation around the moon, although this celestial spectacle will only be visible to a very limited number of people. The path of the eclipse will stretch across western Antarctica and alongside the Davis Sea coast, covering a total distance of 4,282 kilometers with a width of 616 kilometers, where observers can fully witness the 'ring of fire'.
For many others, a partial eclipse will be observable, providing a chance for a larger audience to see the moon taking a 'bite' out of the sun. This event will be accessible in parts of the Antarctic continent, southeastern Africa, the far southern part of South America, and certain regions in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. This coincidence of religious observance and an astronomical phenomenon invites reflection on the interplay between science and faith in the context of Islamic culture.
