One of the most auspicious and celebrated Muslim holidays – Eid – is just around the corner. With preparations for “Eid-ul-Fitr” in full swing, many are worried about the exact date of the festival. Eid ul-Fitr, a major and important Muslim festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor all over the world on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar.
Muslims all over the world celebrate this important holiday with grandeur and enthusiasm after the morning prayer. Many times the confusion surrounding the date of Eid arises because it is often celebrated on different days around the world due to the time difference. To clear up the confusion surrounding Eid celebration dates, the Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory of the United Arab Emirates has released 2 images describing the date of visibility of the Shawwal Crescent, which will determine the day of Eid celebration and the end of Ramadan 1447 AH – the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
What did the International Astronomical Center predict?
According to the International Astronomical Center, the crescent moon, which marks the last day of Ramadan, will be sighted on March 18 – corresponding to the twenty-ninth day of Ramadan – in countries that began fasting from February 18. In other countries where fasting began on February 19, including India, Eid will be celebrated on March 20, a Saturday, as the crescent moon will be sighted on March 19.
Eid ul-Fitr, also called the “Festival of Breaking the Fast”, marks the end of Islam’s holiest month – Ramadan. This year’s Ramadan began in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday 18 February following the sighting of the crescent moon on Tuesday 17 February. The decision of the Moon Sighting Commission will determine the date of the Eid festival after the Shawwal crescent is sighted.
Saudi Arabia has declared a four-day holiday for Eid ul-Fitr
Saudi Arabia has declared a four-day Eid ul-Fitr holiday for private and non-profit sector employees, starting on March 18, which corresponds to the 29th of Ramadan. This means that Eid will be celebrated on March 19 in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, depending on the citation of the moon.
The notification issued on Thursday said, “The holiday on account of Jumat-ul-Vida will now be observed in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on March 13, 2026 (Friday) instead of March 20, 2026 (Friday).
