Eid-el-Fitr to Hold on Friday
Saudi Arabia has officially confirmed that the crescent moon of Shawwal 1447AH was not sighted anywhere in the Kingdom on Wednesday evening March 18, 2026, meaning Ramadan will run its full 30 days and Eid-el-Fitr celebrations will begin on Friday March 20, 2026.
The crescent of Shawwal 1447 AH was not sighted anywhere in Saudi Arabia today. As a result, the month of Ramadan will complete 30 days tomorrow, and Eid Al Fitr is expected to be celebrated on Friday.
The outcome was widely anticipated by astronomers long before the official announcement. The International Astronomical Center had revealed earlier this week that sighting the Shawwal crescent moon on March 18 was impossible because the moon would set before the sun and the astronomical conjunction would occur after sunset making any physical sighting scientifically impossible.
According to the Astronomical Observatory of Majmaah University in Hawtat Sudair, on Wednesday the moon was set to go down approximately 30 minutes before sunset, with moonset at 5:38pm and sunset at 6:08pm confirming that sighting was out of the question.
Countries that began Ramadan on February 18 including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain are therefore expected to complete 30 days of Ramadan, making Friday March 20 Eid Al Fitr 2026 for them.
The announcement settles the question for Nigeria as well. The Sultan of Sokoto had earlier directed Nigerian Muslims to search for the crescent this evening. With Saudi Arabia’s confirmation now official, Nigeria is expected to follow suit completing 30 days of Ramadan and celebrating Eid-el-Fitr on Friday March 20, 2026, pending the Sultan’s formal announcement following tonight’s moon
