The date for Eid ul-Fitr 2026 depends on seeing the Shawwal crescent moon in Saudi Arabia. This will happen on Wednesday, March 18. Authorities have asked everyone to look for the moon tonight. This announcement will determine if Eid starts on March 19 or a day later in different areas.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Eid Moon Sighting 2026 Saudi Arabia: When will the moon be visible today
The Saudi Supreme Court says the crescent moon of Shawwal should be seen on the evening of 18 March. Observers usually start looking at the sky just after sunset. That’s when the thin crescent might appear.
If the moon is seen today, Eid ul-Fitr will begin on Thursday, 19 March 2026, in Saudi Arabia and some Gulf countries.
Eid Moon Sighting 2026 Saudi Arabia Time
In Saudi Arabia, people look for the Shawwal crescent just after sunset on 18 March. The visibility window typically begins at sunset and lasts for 20 to 40 minutes. This can change based on your location and the sky conditions.
Religious authorities review the reports and will make an official announcement later tonight.
In simple terms, the sun set time in Saudi Arabia is 6:03 pm today. You can expect the thin crescent to become visible just around that time.
Eid Date 2026: What Happens If the Moon Is Not Seen
If the crescent is not visible due to weather or other factors, Ramadan will complete 30 days. In that case, Eid will be observed a day later.
This system uses the Islamic lunar calendar. Each month starts when the new moon is sighted.
Eid 2026: What Saudi Arabia’s Moon Sighting Means for India and South Asia
South Asian countries usually follow their own moon sighting. If Saudi Arabia has Eid on 19 March, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh will have it on 20 March..
Thursday, 19 March, will be the last day of Roza in these areas. Moon sighting will happen that evening.
Why do Eid dates differ across countries?
Eid ul-Fitr, or Ramzan Eid and Meethi Eid, celebrates the end of Ramadan. This is the holy month when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. The festival falls in the first three days of Shawwal in the Hijri calendar.
Moon visibility changes based on location and weather. So, Eid is often celebrated on different days in various countries.