Kamal Ghorui
Eid Al Fitr 2026 will be celebrated on Friday, March 20 across the UAE and several Gulf countries, after the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted, marking the completion of a 30-day Ramadan. The UAE confirmed the date on Wednesday, following the Moon-sighting Committee’s observation, which did not record any confirmed sighting of the crescent on Wednesday evening. As a result, Thursday, March 19, will complete the holy month of Ramadan, with Eid beginning the following day. The sighting of the Shawwal crescent traditionally signals the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid Al Fitr, one of the most significant festivals in the Islamic calendar. Similar announcements were made across the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia confirmed that the crescent moon was not sighted after reviewing reports submitted by courts and observatories across the Kingdom. In a statement, the Saudi Royal Court noted that no confirmed sighting was established, confirming Friday, March 20, as the first day of Eid. Kuwait’s Sharia Vision Authority also confirmed that Thursday will complete Ramadan, with Eid Al Fitr falling on Friday. Bahrain and Qatar issued similar confirmations, with both countries announcing March 20 as the first day of Eid after the crescent moon was not sighted. In Qatar, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) stated that Thursday marks the 30th and final day of Ramadan, aligning with the wider regional announcement. Earlier, the UAE had already outlined Eid holidays for both public and private sector employees. According to the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, public sector holidays will run from Thursday, March 19, to Sunday, March 22, with work resuming on Monday, March 23. For the private sector, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced a break from Thursday, March 19, to Saturday, March 21. The ministry added that if Ramadan completes 30 days, the holiday will extend to Sunday, March 22. With the date now confirmed, preparations for Eid celebrations are set to begin across the region, as families and communities come together to mark the end of Ramadan.
