Breaking: Saudi Arabia confirms Eid el-Fitr on Friday after moon not seen

Saudi Arabia announced Wednesday evening that the crescent moon marking the beginning of Shawwal was not sighted anywhere in the Kingdom, officially confirming that Eid el-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, 2026.

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia had earlier urged Muslims across the Kingdom to look for the Shawwal crescent on Wednesday evening, corresponding to the 29th day of Ramadan.

After high-level meetings at observatories across multiple cities and a nationwide appeal for sightings, not a single confirmed sighting was reported.

With the moon unseen, Ramadan will complete 30 days of fasting, making Thursday, March 19, the final day of the holy month.

The announcement carries particular significance for Gulf nations, many of which align their Eid celebrations with Saudi Arabia’s declaration.

The United Arab Emirates, which had already announced public holidays for federal and private sector employees, will now observe the extended break accordingly.

For federal government entities in the UAE, the Eid al-Fitr holiday will begin Thursday, March 19, and continue through Sunday, March 22, with official working hours resuming Monday, March 23.

Private sector employees will observe the holiday from Thursday through Saturday, with an extension to Sunday if Ramadan completes 30 days — a condition now met following Saudi’s announcement .

Eid al-Fitr, meaning “festival of breaking the fast,” marks the end of Ramadan, during which Muslims worldwide fast from dawn to sunset. The day begins with congregational prayers, followed by family gatherings, festive meals, and acts of charity known as Zakat al-Fitr, ensuring those in need can participate in celebrations.

The Supreme Court emphasized that anyone who spots the crescent, either with the naked eye or through binoculars, should report their sighting to the nearest court to assist in the official declaration .

Astronomical factors explain the unsuccessful sighting. The New Crescent Society explained that it was impossible for Saudi Arabia to see the crescent on March 18, as it occurred a day before the new moon’s birth.