FINAL UPDATE
Eid ul-Fitr 2026: Official Announcement
Published: March 18, 2026 | Source: Saudi Supreme Court & SPA
RIYADH ANNOUNCEMENT: The Saudi Supreme Court has officially confirmed that the crescent of Shawwal 1447 AH was NOT sighted on Wednesday evening. Therefore, Ramadan 2026 will last 30 days, and the first day of Eid will be Friday, March 20.
Congregational Eid prayers will be held across all major mosques in the Kingdom on Friday morning.
Confirmed Dates & Holiday Schedule
| Region / Country | 29th Ramadan (Sighting) | Confirmed Eid al-Fitr Date |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait | Wednesday, March 18 | Friday, March 20, 2026 |
| USA, Canada, UK | Wednesday, March 18 | Friday, March 20, 2026 |
| India, Pakistan, Bangladesh | Thursday, March 19 | Saturday, March 21, 2026 (Likely) |
Saudi cities are illuminating with festive lights as residents prepare for the 3-day public holiday.
Key Holiday Information
- Private Sector: A 4-day holiday begins at the end of the workday on Wednesday, March 18.
- Public Sector (KSA): Government offices will remain closed until Tuesday, March 24.
- Eid Prayers: In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, prayers will be held inside mosques approximately 15 minutes after sunrise. Outdoor "Musallas" have been moved indoors this year due to weather warnings.
Fireworks and community festivals are scheduled for Friday evening across major malls and public squares.
Scientific Report from Sudair & Tumair
Chief astronomers at the Sudair Observatory reported that despite clear conditions in some areas, the moon set nearly 20 minutes before the sun, making a physical sighting impossible today. This aligns with astronomical models that predicted a 30-day Ramadan for 2026.