March 19, 2026 | 04:37 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Saudi Arabia has announced that Eid al-Fitr will fall on Friday, March 20, 2026, after the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted on Wednesday evening.
According to Gulf News, Saudi authorities confirmed the date after the moon-sighting committee met and verified that the new crescent marking the start of Shawwal was not visible. As a result, Muslims in the kingdom will complete 30 days of Ramadan, with Eid al-Fitr beginning on Friday.
The decision follows the traditional Islamic method of determining the start of a new lunar month through direct moon sighting. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting observed by Muslims around the world.
Mohammed Al Ruzaiqi, a spokesperson for the ministry, said the announcement was intended to provide clarity for businesses and workers ahead of the holiday period.
He said early confirmation would help organizations plan work schedules and maintain operations in essential sectors while ensuring employees could fully enjoy the extended holiday.
Several other Gulf and Arab countries have also declared Friday, March 20, as the first day of Eid al-Fitr. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain are among the countries that have aligned with Saudi Arabia’s announcement.
Gulf News also reported that Kuwait, Turkey, and several countries in the Middle East and Africa have confirmed the same date.
Meanwhile, Singapore has announced that it will celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Saturday, March 21, 2026, after the crescent moon could not be sighted there on Thursday evening.
As of Thursday night, several countries — including Indonesia — had yet to make an official announcement. Religious authorities in those countries were still observing the Shawwal crescent to determine whether Eid al-Fitr would begin on Friday or Saturday.
In Southeast and South Asia, countries still awaiting confirmation included Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Several countries in the Middle East and North Africa were also continuing moon-sighting efforts, including Iran, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritania.
The timing of Eid al-Fitr often differs from country to country due to variations in moon visibility, weather conditions, and the methods used by religious authorities to determine the start of the Islamic month.
Eid al-Fitr, one of the most important holidays in Islam, marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated with communal prayers, family gatherings, and acts of charity. This year, Ramadan began on February 18, 2026, for many Muslim-majority countries.
Read: Jakarta Weekend Guide: 5 Eid al-Fitr Holiday Destinations
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