Residents of the United Arab Emirates and the region in general may witness a special celestial event tonight, as the Ramadan crescent is scheduled to appear directly above the Kaaba in Mecca.Astronomers from the Jeddah Astronomical Society announced that on February 28, 2026, the moon will be 87 to 89 percent illuminated, making it bright and clearly visible in the night sky.At 10:40 pm Saudi Arabia time, the moon will line up directly above the Holy Kaaba. Experts point out that whoever monitors the position of the moon at that moment can use it as a natural guide to determine the direction of the Qibla (the direction of prayer towards Mecca).Engineer Majid Al-Zahraa, President of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, explained that the moon will reach an altitude of about 89.98 degrees, making it only one arc minute away from the ideal 90-degree alignment.At the time of alignment, the Moon will be about 11.3 to 11.6 days old, making it halfway through the lunar cycle of 29.5 days after the new moon.With illumination reaching approximately 91%, lunar craters and surface features are expected to appear more clearly when viewed through telescopes.Adding to the scene, the Natura cluster in the constellation Cancer, also known as the “Beehive Cluster,” will coincide with the alignment. Both the moon and the cluster can be seen in the same field of view using binoculars, while in dark locations, the cluster can be seen with the naked eye.Astronomers warned that visibility may vary depending on local weather conditions, and noted that the alignment will only be visible for a short time.
