The moon-sighting process is in full swing in Saudi Arabia, as Wednesday, 18 March, marks the 29th day of Ramadan in the Arab nation. The sighting of the Shawwal crescent signals the end of the holy month of fasting and the beginning of Eid al-Fitr.
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated the day after the crescent is sighted.
Has the moon been sighted in Saudi Arabia?
In Saudi Arabia, Ramadan began on 18 February, and Wednesday marks exactly one month since the holy period of fasting began. The crescent has still not been sighted.
A team of 11 observers, led by noted moon-sighter Abdullah Al-Khudairi, had gathered at the Hawtat Sudair Observatory in Riyadh to look for the crescent.
According to a report by Gulf News, the Shawwal crescent for 1447 AH was not sighted anywhere in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. As a result, Ramadan will complete 30 days on Thursday, and Eid al-Fitr is expected to be observed in the country on Friday.
Has the crescent been sighted in UAE?
The UAE has not yet made any official announcement about when Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated in the nation.
The moon was not sighted in the UAE on Wednesday. Hence, Eid al-Fitr will also be celebrated in the Gulf nation on Friday, as Thursday marks the 30th day of Ramadan.
When would Eid be celebrated in India?
While no official date for Eid al-Fitr has been shared yet, many believe that in India, the crescent moon could either be sighted on Friday, 19 March, or Saturday, 20 March.
Once the crescent moon is sighted in Saudi Arabia, authorities in India get a timeline to announce Eid al-Fitr 2026.
Usually, India celebrates Eid a day after Saudi Arabia does. But there have been exceptions in the past when both Saudi Arabia and India celebrated Eid on the same day.
If the moon is sighted in India on Thursday, 19 March, evening, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, 20 March, aligning with Saudi Arabia.
If the moon is not sighted on Thursday, Ramadan will complete 30 days on Friday, 20 March, and Eid al-Fitr is likely to be celebrated on Saturday, 21 March.
