Eid ul Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting Live Updates: Saudi, UAE, Oman, Qatar To Celebrate Eid Tomorrow; Crescent Not Sighted In India

The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which oversees the sighting of the Shawwal moon, on Thursday announced that the crescent moon has not been sighted in India on Thursday. Thus, Eid Ul-Fitr 2026 will be celebrated on Saturday across the country.

Fatehpuri Masjid Imam Mufti Mukarram Ahmad told PTI that the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of the mosque contacted many places and was informed that the moon was not sighted. Eid will be celebrated in the country on March 21, Saturday, he said. "On this occasion, we pray that brotherhood and harmony in the country continues to prosper and is strengthened with love," he said.

Saudi Arabian authorities, responsible for the sighting of the Shawwal Crescent, on Thursday announced that Eid Ul-Fitr 2026 will be celebrated on Friday, March 20. The crescent moon for the Shawwal month was not sighted on Wednesday, extending the Ramzan month for a full 30 days. A lunar month has a cycle of a maximum of 30 days.

The difference in Eid-ul-Fitr dates between Saudi Arabia and India is driven by science, not belief. The Islamic month begins with the visible crescent moon, which appears at different times due to Earth's rotation. Saudi Arabia, being west of India, gets better visibility, older, brighter crescent, higher altitude, and clearer skies. In India, the Moon is often too young and faint to spot. As a result, Eid is frequently celebrated a day later, a predictable outcome explained by astronomy and geography.

From the historic alleys of Old Delhi to upscale dining in New Delhi, there are so many places to go and celebrate Eid with fine dining. Today, we have curated a list of the best places to enjoy a festival feast with your family, friends, and loved ones on this Eid.

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Qatari authorities on Wednesday announced that the crescent of the Shawwal month was not sighted on Wednesday and the month of Ramzan will complete its full 30 days.

"The sighting of the Eid-ul-Fitr moon, will be observed on March 19. However, it is expected that the moon may not be visible that day. Accordingly, Eid, will be on March 21. The final decision and announcement, will be made on the evening of March 19. Eid is, in reality, a reward from Allah Almighty for the worship and fasting observed throughout Ramadan. Its timing is not dependent on any particular event," Chairman of the Lucknow Islamic Center, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali said.

Shaykh Saleh bin Awad al Maghamsi reciting Surat Al-Ma'arij of the Quran. WATCH

Heavy rain lashed parts of Mecca on the morning of March 19 shortly after Tahajjud prayers.

According to reports, Turkiye will be celebrating Eid 2026 on March 20, along with Gulf nations. Singapore, on the other hand, will celebrate Eid Al-Fitr 2026 on March 21, Saturday.

Many countries, who have not announced Eid celebrations on Friday, will attempt to sight the Shawwal crescent today. These include Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania, along with several countries in Central Asia and Africa.

According to a report by Gulf News, the Shawwal Crescent was not sighted anywhere in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (March 18), which was the 29th day of Ramzan. This means that the month of Ramzan this year completed full cycle of 30 days on Thursday (March 19). Given that a lunar month ends after 30 days, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

Noted Moon Sighter Abdullah Al-Khudair along with a team of 11 observers have gathered at the Sudair Observatory in Riyadh to look for the Shawwal crescent.