Eid ul-Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting Date, Timing Highlights: Saudi to celebrate Eid on March 20 – Check crescent moon timing for India, UAE, Dubai, Qatar, Pakistan, and Iran

The crescent moon of Shawwal 1447 AH was not seen today. However, because Ramadan completes its full 30-day cycle this Thursday, Eid-ul-Fitr will officially be celebrated on Friday, March 20.

The date of Eid-ul-Fitr depends on spotting the crescent moon, which is why celebrations vary across countries like Saudi Arabia and India. On Wednesday, Saudi authorities announced that Eid-ul-Fitr will fall on March 20, 2026, after the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted.

Here's the full list of countries celebrating Eid on 20 March:
– Saudi Arabia
– UAE
– Turkey
– Bahrain
– Qatar
– Kuwait
– Lebanon

The UAE has announced that the Eid Al Fitr holiday for federal government offices will start on Thursday, March 19, 2026, and continue until Sunday, March 22, 2026. For private sector employees, the holiday will run from Thursday, March 19, to Saturday, March 21, 2026, according to a report by Khaleej Times.

The United Arab Emirates has announced the official Eid Al-Fitr holiday schedule. Federal government employees will observe the holiday from Thursday, March 19, 2026, through Sunday, March 22, 2026.

For those working in the private sector, the Eid break will run from Thursday, March 19, to Saturday, March 21, 2026, according to a report by Khaleej Times.

Astronomers predict that the Shawwal crescent could appear on March 18, weather permitting. Provincial moon-sighting committees review observations from various locations before officially declaring the start of Eid.

Saudi Arabia and Turkey have confirmed that Eid-Ul-Fitr 2026 will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, in their countries.

In Delhi-NCR, the Shawwal crescent is expected to appear on the evening of March 19. If confirmed, Eid-Ul-Fitr 2026 will be celebrated on March 20. Observers have been advised to look for the crescent during the visibility window between 6:24 PM and 6:58 PM.

In the United Arab Emirates, the Shawwal crescent for Eid-Ul-Fitr 2026 has not been sighted following sunset. An astronomy center did capture an image of the crescent earlier in the day, but the official sighting required for declaring Eid did not occur. Observers will continue monitoring the skies to determine the official date for celebrations across the country.

Saudi Arabia has officially declared that Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on March 20, following the non-sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon. According to Gulf News, this marks the completion of 30 days of Ramadan fasting across the kingdom.

The moon-sighting committee met to review reports from across Saudi Arabia and confirmed the start of the new lunar month. This decision follows the traditional Islamic practice of determining the beginning of months through lunar observation, ensuring that religious observances remain in alignment with centuries-old traditions.

Astronomer Abdul Majid notes unclear atmospheric conditions could hinder moon sighting, while the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia will soon release official statements from multiple observatories across the kingdom.

Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 in Indonesia is likely to be observed on March 19 or 20, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon locally.

Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 celebrations in India will depend on the sighting of the crescent moon, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. This year, Ramadan began on February 18, and the country is currently observing the 29th day of fasting.

According to reports, the moon is likely to be sighted either on March 19 or March 20. If the crescent is visible on March 19, Eid will be celebrated the following day. However, if it is not sighted, fasting will continue, and Eid will be observed after the moon is seen the next day.

Following reports of moonsighting across the skylines of Turkey and Singapore. In Turkey, Eid-Ul-Fitr will be celebrated on March 20, whereas in Singapore, March 20 will mark the end of Ramzan and Eid will be celebrated on March 21.

In another development after reports of sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia, authorities in Mecca and Medina have stepped up security on major pilgrim routes, adding checkpoints and patrols. As per reports, the move aims to ensure smoother travel, quicker access, and safer journeys for visitors during the busy end-of-Ramadan period.

Chand Raat or "night of the moon," marks the beginning a joyful celebration on the eve of Eid al-Fitr. On this occasion families across states in India can be seen peering into the sky with their eyes after sunset for the Shawwal crescent Moon, with committees announcing sightings from mosques.

As we venture later into the evening, the sun has set in Saudi Arabia, global attention has turned to the official confirmation on the Shawwal crescent sighting. Authorities are expected to announce shortly whether the moon has been sighted, which will determine if Eid is on March 19 or March 20.

In a notable development, Eid prayers in UAE will be held exclusively inside mosques this year, with outdoor prayer grounds suspended nationwide. The announcement, made by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, comes at a time of heightened regional sensitivity and reflects a broader shift in how public religious gatherings are being managed across the Gulf.

Eid ul-Fitr, also known as Ramzan Eid or Meethi Eid, marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting from dawn to sunset. The festival falls in the first three days of Shawwal in the Hijri calendar. Since moon visibility depends on location and atmospheric conditions, Eid is often celebrated on different days across countries.

Despite numerous regional and religious festivals, the BSE and NSE holiday calendars show no trading holidays between March 19 and March 21.

With the sun now set in Saudi Arabia, global attention has turned to the official confirmation on the Shawwal crescent sighting. Authorities are expected to announce shortly whether the moon has been sighted, which will determine if Eid is on March 19 or March 20.

According to the Ruyat-e-Hilal Committee of India, countries including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are expected to sight the crescent moon on the evening of March 19, making Eid al-Fitr 2026 likely to fall on Friday, March 20.

As the sun sets in Saudi Arabia, all eyes are on the official Shawwal crescent moon confirmation. Authorities are expected to announce soon whether Eid will be celebrated on March 19 or March 20.

If Saudi Arabia completes 30 days of Ramadan (celebrating Eid on Friday, March 20), India and Pakistan will likely observe Eid on Saturday, March 21. This will create a rare 'unified weekend,' with much of the Muslim world celebrating from Friday to Sunday.

- Qatar: Leading with a 7-day public sector holiday from March 17 to 23.

- UAE: Federal and private sector holidays start Thursday, March 19.

- Saudi Arabia: The 4-day private sector holiday officially begins today, March 18.

Eid is not just about celebrations, it’s also about delicious food! After a month of fasting, people enjoy sheer khurma, biryani, chicken pulao, and seekh or shami kebabs with family and friends.

Eid is celebrated on different days across countries because of variations in moon sightings and local Islamic calendar practices. As per tradition, Eid begins at sunset on the day the crescent moon is sighted, with prayers and celebrations taking place the following morning.

Sheikh Sudais leads the Khatm Al Quran (completion of the Quran) 1447/2026 at Masjid Al Haram, Makkah, as thousands of worshippers gather to mark the sacred occasion.

Watch:

https://twitter.com/insharifain/status/2034001857379766679?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2034001857379766679%7Ctwgr%5E5a7ba3844d4fd38ec40dec3795c77cbc7c393bbd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Findianexpress.com%2Farticle%2Flifestyle%2Feid-al-fitr-2026-moon-sighting-date-time-live-updates-moonrise-date-and-timings-in-saudi-arabia-the-uae-india-pakistan-10587936%2F

Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, Chairman of the Lucknow Islamic Center, has stated that Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on March 21.

"The sighting of the Eid-ul-Fitr moon, will be observed on March 19. However, it is expected that the moon may not be visible that day. Accordingly, Eid, will be on March 21. The final decision and announcement,  will be made on the evening of March 19. Eid is, in reality, a reward from Allah Almighty for the worship and fasting observed throughout Ramadan. Its timing is not dependent on any particular event," Mahali said.

https://twitter.com/ians_india/status/2033879075975270902?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2033879075975270902%7Ctwgr%5Eb9b7292508f638bd94bb81e656de0fee4e210f10%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Findianexpress.com%2Farticle%2Flifestyle%2Feid-al-fitr-2026-moon-sighting-date-time-live-updates-moonrise-date-and-timings-in-saudi-arabia-the-uae-india-pakistan-10587936%2F

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has asked Muslims across the Kingdom to look for the crescent moon on March 18. If the moon is seen, Ramadan ends and Eid celebrations begin. If not, fasting continues until the moon is sighted the next day.