Eid-ul-Fitr Date 2026: Preparations are in full swing all over the world for one of the most auspicious and celebrated Muslim holidays – Eid. Many are worried about the date of Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, which depends on the citation of the Shawwal crescent.
Ramadan usually lasts 29 to 30 days, and the celebrations culminate in Eid festivities, which corresponds to 1 Shawwal 1447 in the Islamic calendar. Celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm by Muslims worldwide, Eid-ul-Fitr is also called the “Festival of Breaking the Fast”. This year, India is expected to celebrate Eid on March 20, Friday or March 21, Saturday. In Saudi Arabia, the festival celebrations are likely to take place on March 19, Thursday or March 20, Friday.
How the Saudi Supreme Court announces the date of Eid
The tenth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar is Shawwal, which marks the Eid ul-Fitr celebrations. Since the celebration of this holiday is dependent on the sighting of the moon, it is customary for the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia to call upon Muslims across the country to sight the crescent of Shawwal.
How to confirm Eid final date?
India usually celebrates Eid a day after the festivities begin in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. The United Arab Emirates International Astronomical Center has predicted that the crescent moon, which marks the last day of Ramadan, will be sighted in the Gulf countries on March 19, while West Asia may celebrate the day on March 20.
Qatar has officially announced a seven-day Eid Al Fitr holiday for public sector employees. The ministry, government agencies and public institutions are offering government workers an extended break to celebrate the end of Ramadan and will observe the Eid holiday from Monday, March 17 to Sunday, March 23, according to Amiri Diwan. According to Qatar Calendar House, astronomical calculations indicate that the first day of Shawwal 1447 will be observed on March 20, Friday.
Moonlit night 2026
The day when the crescent moon is visible is celebrated as ‘chand raat’, which marks the end of Islam’s holiest month – Ramadan – and is followed by Eid celebrations.
Ramadan began in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on February 18 this year after the crescent moon was sighted on Tuesday, February 17. The date of Eid will be decided by the Moon Sighting Committee.
The decision regarding the start of the month will be decided by the Qatar Verification Committee at the Ministry of Awqaf. The crescent Moon will be born on Thursday, March 19 at 4:24 a.m., making it impossible to see the crescent in the Qatari sky on Wednesday evening, March 18, QCH added.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has scheduled the Jumat-ul-Vida holiday on March 13, 2026 from March 20 amid uncertainty over the last Friday of Ramadan. The last Friday of the month of Ramadan before the Eid al-Fitr celebrations is considered an auspicious day.
