Eid al-Fitr will begin on Friday for many Muslims after Saudi Arabia announced the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted, marking the end of Ramadan – however, celebration dates may vary by country
It has been confirmed that the first day of Eid Al-Fitr will take place on Friday. The declaration followed the failure to spot the Shawwal crescent moon in Saudi Arabia. The sighting of the new moon will signal the conclusion of Ramadan for Muslims worldwide.
Religious authorities examined the heavens for a crescent moon following the Maghrib prayer this evening to establish when the celebrations will commence. Numerous Muslims regard Saudi Arabia’s pronouncement, which is anticipated this afternoon, as the standard.
Morocco operates its own national moon-spotting system, and people in neighbouring countries, including the UK, might adhere to Morocco’s calendar instead.
This means some Muslims will be marking Eid on Thursday, others on Friday, and some potentially on Saturday. The precise date won’t be verified until the moon has officially been observed, reports the Mirror.
Eid al-Fitr is a special celebration for Muslims, bringing family and loved ones together. It marks the end of Ramadan – a month of fasting obsereved by Muslims worldwide – and the beginning of Shawwal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar.
This year, Eid al-Fitr is set to fall on either Thursday March 19 or Friday March 20, 2026 – but it all depends on the sighting of the moon.
The Islamic calendar operates on the lunar cycle, meaning all significant days in the Islamic calendar appear to shift forward approximately 11 days each year.
Eid usually begins with a morning prayer at a mosque before family and friends gather to share a meal, spend time together and exchange gifts. The occasion is also an opportunity for self-reflection and forgiveness, as well as remembering loved ones who have passed away.
Many Muslims are expected to have made their end-of-Ramadan donation to charity, known as Zakat-ul-Fitr or Fitrana, which helps to feed the poor, before Eid celebrations.
Saudi Arabia started its Ramadan celebrations a day earlier than most Muslim countries, which means it will be holding its moon sighting earlier than other nations.
The country’s national calendar has already set Friday, March 20, as Eid al-Fitr 2026, based on its own astronomical predictions.
The wait for Eid al-Fitr 2026 rests on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon. Authorities in Saudi Arabia have asked people to look for the moon this evening, with an announcement expected on whether Eid begins on March 19, or a day later in different regions.
Observers typically begin scanning the sky just after sunset, as that is when the thin crescent could become visible.
The New Crescent Society predicts that UK moonsightings, as well as those in neighbouring Morocco, will come a day later on Thursday, March 19. During this time, the crescent will be very difficult to find in the evening sky because it’s so early in the lunar cycle, the society says. This could mean Ramadan will go on for another day, with Eid possibly falling on Saturday, March 21.
The society said: “Morocco will look for the moon on Thursday 19 March. The moon will be very, very hard to see. We expect no crescent sightings, and so they complete 30 days for Ramadan and Eid on Saturday 21 March. For context, Morocco has never seen such a thin moon in decades of sighting records. They accept naked eye sightings only.
“Our UK moonsighters will [also] search for the moon on Thursday 19 March. We are in a similar position to Moroocco with a moon which is extremely difficult to see. Therefore we expect Eid to be on Saturday 21 March.
“However, there is a thin chance we [in the UK] could see the moon if we have perfect weather conditions – and if we do, Eid would be on Friday. Seeing such a moon would break a record for us – and we will try our best.”