The authorities in Saudi Arabia have officially announced that the crescent moon marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan has not been sighted.
Consequently, the celebration of Eid al-Fitr will take place on Friday, March 20, 2026.
The announcement means that Muslims in Saudi Arabia will complete 30 days of fasting, as prescribed in Islamic tradition when the new moon is not visible on the 29th night of Ramadan.
The sighting of the moon is a crucial element in determining the Islamic calendar, which follows a lunar system. Islamic scholars and designated moon-sighting committees typically observe the skies after sunset on the 29th day of Ramadan. If the crescent is not seen, fasting continues for one more day.
Saudi Arabia’s announcement is closely followed by many Muslim-majority countries and communities worldwide. However, some nations may rely on local moon sightings or independent calculations to determine the date of Eid.
