Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 Date: Preparations are in full swing around the globe for one of the most auspicious and widely celebrated Muslim festivals — Eid. Many are concerned about Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 date which depends upon the citing of the Shawwal crescent.
Ramadan usually extends for 29 to 30 days and the celebrations culminate with Eid festivities, corresponding to 1 Shawwal 1447 in the Islamic calendar. Celebrated with great vigor and enthusiasm by Muslims worldwide, Eid-ul-Fitr is also called the “festival of breaking the fast.” This year, it is expected that India will celebrate Eid on 20 March, Friday, or 21 March, Saturday. In Saudi Arabia it is likely that the festival celebrations will take place on 19 March, Thursday, or 20 March, Friday.
How does Saudi Supreme Court announce Eid date?
The tenth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar is Shawwal which marks Eid ul-Fitr celebrations. Since the celebrations of this festival are contingent upon the sighting of the moon, it is usual for Saudi Arabia Supreme Court to call upon Muslims across the country to sight the crescent of Shawwal moon.
How to confirm the final Eid date?
India usually celebrates Eid a day after festivities kickstart in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. UAE’s International Astronomical Center predicted that the crescent moon, which marks the last day of Ramadan, will be sighted in Gulf countries on 19 March while West Asia may celebrate this day on 20 March.
Qatar officially announced a seven-day Eid Al Fitr holiday for public sector employees. Offering government workers an extended break to celebrate the end of Ramadan, ministries, government agencies and public institutions will observe the Eid holiday from 17 March, Monday till 23 March, Sunday, according to the Amiri Diwan. As per Qatar Calendar House, astronomical calculations indicate that the first day of Shawwal 1447 will be observed on 20 March, Friday.
Moon Night 2026
The day the crescent moon is sighted, it is celebrated as ‘chand raat’ which marks the conclusion of the holiest month of Islam — Ramadan — and is followed by Eid celebrations.
Ramadan commenced in Saudi Arabia and the UAE on 18 February this year after the crescent moon was sighted on 17 February, Tuesday. The date of the Eid festival will be decided by the moon-sighting committee.
Qatar’s Verification Committee at the Ministry of Awqaf will determine the decision regarding the start of the month. The crescent moon will be born on 19 March, Thursday, at 4:24 am making it is impossible to sight the crescent moon on the evening of 18 March, Wednesday, in the skies of Qatar, QCH added.
The Jammu and Kashmir government preponed the Jumat-ul-Vida holiday to 13 March 2026 from 20 March amid uncertainty over the last Friday of Ramadan. The last Friday of the Ramadan month before Eid al-Fitr celebrations is observed as an auspicious day.
