Astronomers across the Middle East are preparing their observatories this evening as the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia formally requested citizens and institutional bodies to look for the Shawwal crescent moon. The visual confirmation will officially determine whether Eid ul-Fitr celebrations begin on Thursday, March 19, or if the holy month of Ramadan will complete a 30-day cycle.
If the moon remains obscured by atmospheric conditions or astronomical positioning, regional authorities in Gulf states expect March 20 Eid al-Fitr observances to serve as the definitive date. Primary observations are currently concentrated at the Sudair and Tumair observatories, where specialists from Al Maj’mah University are scheduled to scan the horizon immediately following sunset.
Saudi Arabia Eid al-Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting Update! 🌙
Supreme Court called for Shawwal crescent sighting TODAY (March 18, 2026) evening after sunset.
Announcement expected: Saudi time ~7 PM to 10 PM AST (that's India time 9:30 PM IST tonight to 12:30 AM tomorrow March 19).
If…— zi (@ziAkbar6) March 18, 2026
In a significant shift from traditional observances, the United Arab Emirates announced sweeping changes to public gathering protocols ahead of the holiday. The UAE’s General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat suspended all open-air Eid prayers nationwide. Authorities stated that all congregational prayers will be held exclusively inside designated mosques, citing heightened regional sensitivity across the Gulf.
Additionally, the UAE Council for Fatwa issued a directive instructing Muslims that if the holiday officially falls on Friday, worshippers must perform both the special Eid congregation and the standard Friday Jumu’ah prayers. Meanwhile, religious committees in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are scheduled to conduct their own regional sightings on Thursday evening due to geographical variances. Historically, South Asian nations observe the festival one day after the formal declaration in Riyadh, placing their anticipated dates on either March 20 or March 21.