Eid-Ul-Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting: Shawwal Crescent Updates, Saudi Arabia Announcement Date, India Timings

(MENAFN- Live Mint) As the holy month of Ramadan enters its final week, Muslims worldwide are eagerly awaiting the sighting of the crescent moon — celebrated as ‘Chand Raat’ — which marks the end of Ramadan. This year, Ramadan in India, one of the holiest months in Islam, began on February 18 following the sighting of the new crescent moon. In Saudi Arabia, Ramadan started a day earlier.

Since Ramadan began on February 18 in India, Eid

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 concerned about the date of Eid

Fitr 2026, which depends on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent.

If the crescent moon is seen on March 19 after Maghrib (evening prayers), Eid will fall 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 process applies:

If the moon is spotted on March 18, Eid will be on March 19.

If not, Eid will be on March 20.

Eid ul-Fitr 2026 date: India, Pakistan, and South Asia

Countries such as 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 sighting.

If the crescent moon is sighted on Friday, March 20, 2026, Eid

Fitr is likely to be observed on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in India and Pakistan.

Also Read | Eid ul-Fitr 2026: Will India, Saudi Arabia, UAE mark Eid on 19 or 20 March? Why is Moon Sighting Important for Eid?

Moon sighting plays a key role in determining the start of Islamic months. The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, meaning each month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon.

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal. Because lunar months last either 29 or 30 days, the exact date of Eid changes every year and depends on when the crescent moon is officially sighted by religious authorities.

Also Read | Eid

Fitr 2026 Date: When will India, Saudi Arabia, UAE celebrate Eid? How does the Saudi Supreme Court announce the Eid date?

The start of Eid al-Fitr is linked to the sighting of the crescent moon that marks the beginning of Shawwal.

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 as Eid al-Fitr.

How is the final Eid date confirmed in India?

In India, Eid is usually celebrated a day after it begins in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations, depending on the local moon sighting.

The International Astronomical Centre predicted that the crescent moon marking the end of Ramadan could be visible in Gulf countries on March 19, which would place Eid celebrations on March 20 in parts of West Asia.

What has Qatar announced for the Eid holiday?

Meanwhile, Qatar has 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.

Also Read | Ramadan 2026: Sehri and Iftar timings for March 16, Monday, 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.

Chand Raat 2026

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 March 19, Thursday, at 4:24 am, making it impossible to sight the crescent moon on the evening of March 18, Wednesday, in the skies of Qatar, QCH added.

The Jammu and Kashmir government preponed the Jumat

Vida holiday to March 13, 2026, from March 20 amid uncertainty over the last Friday of Ramadan. The last Friday of Ramadan before Eid al-Fitr celebrations is observed as an auspicious day.