As the holy month of Ramadan enters its final week, Muslims around the world eagerly await the sighting of the crescent moon – celebrated as ‘Chand Raat’ – marking the end of Ramadan. This year, Ramzan in India, one of the holiest months in Islam, began on February 18 after the sighting of the new crescent moon. Ramadan started a day earlier in Saudi Arabia.
As Ramzan started on February 18 in India, Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on March 20, Friday or March 21, Saturday, as the festival usually lasts for 29 to 30 days.
Many are worried about the date of Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, which depends on the citation of the Shawwal crescent.
If the crescent moon is sighted on March 19 after the (evening) Maghrib prayers, Eid falls on March 20.
If the Moon is not sighted on March 19, then Eid will be observed on March 21.
In Saudi Arabia, the same procedure applies:
If the Moon is sighted on March 18, Eid will be on March 19.
If not, Eid will be on March 20.
Date of Eid ul-Fitr 2026: India, Pakistan and South Asia
Countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, along with other parts of South Asia, usually celebrate Eid al-Fitr a day after Saudi Arabia due to differences in moon sightings.
New Delhi, India – March 13, 2026: People gather at Jama Masjid to offer the last Jumma Namaz (Friday prayers) of Ramzan.(RAJ K RAJ/HT PHOTO)
If the crescent moon is sighted on Friday 20 March 2026, Eid-ul-Fitr is likely to be observed on Saturday 21 March 2026 in India and Pakistan.
Read also | Eid ul-Fitr 2026: Will India, Saudi Arabia, UAE mark Eid on March 19 or 20?
Why is moon sighting important for Eid?
Moon sightings play a key role in determining the beginning of Islamic months. The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, meaning that each month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon.
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal. Because lunar months are either 29 or 30 days long, the exact date of Eid changes each year and depends on when the crescent moon is officially sighted by religious authorities.
Read also | Eid-ul-Fitr Date 2026: When Will India, Saudi Arabia, UAE Celebrate Eid?
How does the Saudi Supreme Court announce the date of Eid?
The beginning of Eid al-Fitr is associated with the sighting of the crescent moon, which marks the beginning of Shawwal.
Muslims perform late night prayers known as “Qiyam al Layl” during the holy month of Ramadan at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.(REUTERS)
Every year, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia calls on Muslims across the country to look for the Shawwal crescent. If the moon is sighted and confirmed by religious authorities, the following day is declared Eid al-Fitr.
How is the final date of Eid confirmed in India?
In India, Eid is usually celebrated a day after it begins in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, depending on the local sighting of the moon.
The International Astronomical Center predicted that the crescent moon marking the end of Ramadan could be visible in the Gulf countries on March 19, which would set Eid celebrations on March 20 in parts of West Asia.
What did Qatar announce on Eid?
Meanwhile, Qatar announced a seven-day public sector holiday for Eid al-Fitr. According to the Amiri Diwan, government ministries, agencies and public institutions will observe the holiday from Monday, March 17 to Sunday, March 23.
Read also | Ramadan 2026: Timing of Sehri and Iftar for Monday March 16 in major cities
Astronomical calculations by the Qatar Calendar House indicate that the first day of Shawwal 1447 is likely to fall on March 20.
Moonlit night 2026
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.
