Kamal Ghorui
As Ramadan enters its final stretch, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, along with local bodies such as Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, announced the official Eid Al Fitr prayer timings for 2026 across the UAE.The announcement brings clarity for millions of residents in the United Arab Emirates, where Eid prayers remain one of the year’s most significant religious gatherings.Eid Al-Fitr is expected to fall on March 19 or 20, 2026, subject to the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon.
UAE’s official Eid Al Fitr 2026 prayer timings
Based on the latest announcements from the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf), here are the finalized prayer timings for all seven emirates. These are scheduled approximately 15–20 minutes after sunrise to mark the beginning of the Eid celebrations.
| Emirate / City | Official Prayer Time | Suggested Arrival |
| Fujairah | 6:12 AM | 5:30 AM |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 6:15 AM | 5:35 AM |
| Umm Al Quwain | 6:16 AM | 5:40 AM |
| Sharjah | 6:17 AM | 5:40 AM |
| Ajman | 6:17 AM | 5:40 AM |
| Dubai | 6:18 AM | 5:45 AM |
| Abu Dhabi City | 6:22 AM | 5:50 AM |
| Al Ain | 6:16 AM | 5:40 AM |
| Madinat Zayed | 6:25 AM | 5:55 AM |
Preparing for Sunnah and prayer etiquette
In its advisory, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments confirmed that Eid prayers will be conducted inside mosques across all emirates, with necessary arrangements in place to manage large congregations.Worshippers have been urged to arrive early, follow instructions issued by mosque authorities, and cooperate with volunteers to ensure a smooth flow of entry and exit. This year, the focus remains on organised, mosque-centric prayers, with authorities prioritising safety and crowd management.
Moon sighting in UAE
Despite preparations being in full swing, authorities clarified that the final confirmation of Eid Al Fitr 2026 depends on the official moon-sighting process led by the UAE Council for Fatwa.The council called on residents to observe the Shawwal crescent on the evening of March 18, corresponding to the 29th day of Ramadan, and report sightings through official channels.The UAE’s moon-sighting committee will convene in Abu Dhabi after Maghrib prayers to review inputs from astronomical observatories, specialised teams, and public submissions before making a final decision.If the crescent moon is sighted, Eid will be declared the following day. If not, Ramadan will complete 30 days, pushing Eid to the next day, in line with the Islamic lunar calendar followed across the region.This process, which combines religious tradition with scientific observation, remains central to how Islamic months are determined in the UAE and across the Muslim world.
UAE prepares for Eid holidays
The announcement of prayer timings has further amplified the festive mood across cities, particularly in hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where preparations for Eid gatherings, shopping and travel are already underway.Government authorities are also expected to confirm official holiday dates for both public and private sectors, along with transport schedules to accommodate early morning prayers and increased travel activity during the break.From packed mosques at dawn to family gatherings later in the day, Eid Al Fitr in the UAE remains a deeply spiritual yet widely celebrated occasion, blending tradition, community and festivity on a national scale.
