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Eid Al Fitr will be officially celebrated on Saturday, March 21, 2026 in India, as the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted on Wednesday evening. Had the moon been sighted, Eid would have been observed the following day.
Eid moon sighting in India in 2026 reflected a familiar blend of anticipation, devotion, and community spirit. Across cities and villages, families awaited announcements from local moon sighting committees and religious bodies after sunset prayers.
Mosques, observatories, and scholars coordinated reports, and once confirmation was shared, messages spread rapidly, preparing households for prayers, charity, and celebration.
In Saudi Arabia, Eid Al Fitr is on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Crescent of month of Shawwal 1447 was not sighted anywhere in the Kingdom on Wednesday evening, subsequently the month of Ramadan will complete 30 days today and Eid Al Fitr will be on Friday
Despite regional variations, the moment symbolised unity, gratitude, and the completion of a sacred month.
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Muslims are gearing up to mark Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 this week. The major festival will mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, also known as Ramzan.
During this month, Muslims observe fast from dawn until dusk, besides praying for the well-being of their family members and friends. Eid-ul-Fitr culminates the fasting period as people look forward to preparing grand feasts and celebrating with their loved ones.
This daily ritual of fasting from dawn until dusk is called 'Roza'. At the time of Ramadan, Muslims kick start their day with Sehri, which is the pre-fast meal, and break it after sunset with Iftar, which usually starts with dates and water.
Read more: Ramadan Timings: Check March 20 Sehri, Iftar Timings In Your City
Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the most significant Islamic festivals, heralds the end of Ramadan. It is observed as a public holiday in India. This typically leads to widespread closures of schools, banks and government offices. As the festival follows the lunar calendar, its date changes annually. In 2026, it is expected to fall on either March 21 after the moon was not sighted in most parts of India
Accordingly, here's a breakdown of when schools, banks, government offices and stock markets are scheduled to remain closed for Eid 2026.
Read more: https://www.ndtvprofit.com/india/eid-2026-holiday-dates-when-will-schools-banks-and-stock-markets-be-closed-for-eid-ul-fitr-11236087
Maulana Said Saif Abbas Naqvi, President-Shia Markazi Chand Committee confirmed that Eid ul-Fitr will be celebrated on March 21 as the crescent was not sighted in India this evening via posts on his 'X' account.
Eid ka Chand Nahi Dikha : 21st March 2026 ko hogi Eid ul Fitr #Eid pic.twitter.com/pKKdkeMMUU
— Maulana Syed Saif Abbas Naqvi (@SaifAbbasNaqvii) March 19, 2026
Eid al-Fitr in India is confirmed for March 21, 2026, as announced by Mufti Adil of the Ru’yat-e-Hilal Committee and Naib Shahi Imam Syed Shaban Bukhari at Jama Masjid according to IANS.
Eid Al Fitr prayer timings
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of Sadar Majlis-e-Ulama-e-Deccan has started its meeting in Hyderabad to sight the Shawwal crescent moon and confirm the Eid ul-Fitr date in India. The committee's decision will determine whether Eid will be celebrated on March 20 or March 21, 2026. An official announcement is expected around 7:30 pm
Moon-sighting committees and observers are stationed at major Eidgahs, equipped with telescopes, awaiting the Shawwal crescent moon sighting to confirm Eid ul-Fitr 2026. An official announcement is expected around 7:30 pm as per reports citing Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi from Lucknow.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed "advance Eid greetings" to Abdullah II, the King of Jordan according to an 'X' post from the former.
"We expressed concern at the evolving situation in West Asia and highlighted the need for dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace, security and stability in the region. Attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia are condemnable and can lead to avoidable escalation," PM Modi said.
Conveyed advance Eid wishes to my brother, His Majesty King Abdullah II, the King of Jordan, over phone.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 19, 2026
We expressed concern at the evolving situation in West Asia and highlighted the need for dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace, security and stability in…
Guwahati: A vendor arranges caps at a roadside stall during the holy month of Ramzan ahead of Eid al-Fitr, in Guwahati, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (PTI Photo)
Photo Credit: PTI
The Aishbagh Eidgah of Lucknow and Jama Masjid of Delhi are monitoring the skies fpr the Shawwal crescent as the sun sets.
Across India, observers are waiting for the Shawwal crescent moon sighting after sunset to confirm the date of Eid al-Fitr. Here's a breakdown of the moonrise and sunset times in key cities:
The crescent moon will be visible shortly after sunset, and if sighted, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated the following day.
The UAE will not have Eid al-Fitr prayers in open grounds due to measures to ensure public safety amid the US-Iran-Israel war, with them being only within mosques as per reports that cited an announcement from the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat.
The Eid al-Fitr prayer in Dubai will be held at 6:40am with "full readiness" ensured across more than 900 mosques, in coordination with the Dubai Resilience Centre as per an 'X' post from Dubai Media Office.
The Eid Al Fitr prayer in Dubai will be held at 6:40am with full readiness ensured across more than 900 mosques, in coordination with the Dubai Resilience Centre. The ‘Muezzin Al Freej’ initiative will continue, with Eid Takbeerat raised and the call to prayer delivered across… pic.twitter.com/g7IE5dIX4K
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 19, 2026
The Indian Meteorological Department put out a yellow alert for rain in Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram which fall under the National Capital Region. In case of cloudy weather, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid will depend on testimonies from other states such as Bihar and Karnataka to sight the Shawwal crescent and officially declare Eid ul-Fitr as per reports.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed "advance Eid greetings" to the people of Oman in an 'X' post. He also said that he had a productive conversation with the Sultan Haitham bin Tariq regarding the safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
He further said that he reiterated India’s condemnation of the violation of Oman’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Had a productive conversation with my brother Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and conveyed advance Eid greetings to the people of Oman.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 19, 2026
We agreed on the need to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and subsequent restoration of peace and stability.
Reiterated India’s…
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed 'warm greetings' to Malaysia's PM Anwar Ibrahim on account of 'Hari Raya Aidilfitri' (the name for Eid al-Fitr) in Malaysia. Modi said that the two also disucssed the war situation in the Middle East and reaffirmed commitment for de-escelation through dialogue and diplomacy.
"Chatting with my friend, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, and conveying warm greetings to him and the people of Malaysia on the occasion of the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration. We also discussed the highly concerning situation in West Asia and reaffirmed our shared commitment to de-escalate tensions and restore peace and stability as soon as possible through dialogue and diplomacy," PM Modi said in an 'X' post.
Berbual dengan rakan saya, Perdana Menteri Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, dan menyampaikan salam mesra kepada beliau serta rakyat Malaysia sempena sambutan Hari Raya Aidilfitri yang akan datang.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 19, 2026
Kami juga membincangkan situasi yang amat membimbangkan di Asia Barat dan menegaskan…
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump extended their best wises on account of Eid al-Fitr in the form of a presidential message.
"The First Lady and I send our best wishes to every American celebrating Eid al-Fitr.
Eid al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, unites Muslim families, friends, and communities in honor of their spiritual devotion at the conclusion of Ramadan. It also serves as a reminder of the foundational American principle of religious liberty, which my Administration is fighting for every day.
We offer our warmest greetings for a blessed Eid al-Fitr to all who celebrate," the message said.
There are two major iterations of the Eid festival known as Eid al-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr. Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar and focuses on ritual sacrifice of livestock. The meat is then distributed amongst family, friends, relatives and the poor. It is often considred to be the greater of the two in many countries.
Eid ul-Fitr, falls on the first day of the tenth month (known as Shawwal) of the Islamic calendar and focuses on ending the sacred month of Ramadan when muslims fast-from dawn to dusk and break their fast with a feast on Shawwal when they sight the crescent moon.
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritania are yet to finalse the date for the celebration of Eid Ul-Fitr as they have not yet sighted the Shawwal crecent moon.
Bangladesh's authorities have deployed heightened security measures, including increased police presence, CCTV surveillance and mobile courts, while restricting heavy vehicles on highways to ease congestion during peak travel days. Dhaka saw sparsely populated roads and streets owing to a "pre-Eid-ul-Fitr exodus".
Bangladesh is among the countries that have not yet finalised their dates for Eid-Ul-Fitr as the Shawwal crescent has not yet been sighted.
(Source: All India Radio)
Makkah experienced rain on the 30th and last day of Ramadan, which is considered a blessing. Watch video here:
It rained in Makkah on the 30th and last day of Ramadan. All praises and thanks are due to Allah. May Allah make it a beneficial rain and answer our beautiful prayers.
— Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim, CON (@ProfIsaPantami) March 19, 2026
May Allah, the Ever-Living and the Self-Sustainer, heal our lands, be merciful to our departed parents and… pic.twitter.com/UW5ReNCClZ
Islam follows a lunar calendar and so Ramadan and Eid cycle through the seasons. This year, the first day of Eid ul-Fitr is expected to be on or around March 20. The actual date may vary among countries and Muslim communities.
Gulf countries' residents will enjoy a four-day Eid break, starting from Thursday, March 19, till Sunday, March 22, according to Khaleej Times.
Women display intricate mehendi designs ahead of Eid al-Fitr during Ramzan, in Bengaluru. (Photo: PTI)
Women display intricate mehendi designs ahead of Eid al-Fitr during Ramzan, in Bengaluru
Photo Credit: (Photo: PTI)
In a Beirut school sheltering hundreds of people, some tried to recapture a taste of Ramadan's traditions and the lives they left behind. Hallways between classrooms were adorned with decorations. One family placed a small gas burner and some meal packages from charities on a few desks lined up together.
Qatar has also announced that this year's Eid Al Fitr prayers will be held indoors at mosques across the country. Unfazed, though, ladies are flocking to malls and shopping complexes to do some last-minute shopping.
Rulers and government officials have been exchanging Eid greetings, and authorities are working overtime to ensure everything goes smoothly, despite the additional and onerous task of securing the skies.
As Eid ushers in, authorities are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a smooth celebration amid a subdued sense of festivity.
The UAE has announced that this year's Eid-ul-Fitr prayers will be held exclusively "inside mosques, instead of the traditional outdoor gatherings, in light of regional security concerns."
According to the UAE’s General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE), the decision "aims to ensure the safety and security of worshippers."
Eid ul-Fitr is an Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan, the month when devout Muslims fast daily from dawn to sunset. Ramadan is a time for increased worship, charity and good deeds, and typically sees festive gatherings to break the fast. Eid ul-Fitr means the feast, or festival, of breaking the fast.
Muslims around the world are bidding farewell to the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and will soon start celebrating the holiday of Eid ul-Fitr. Eid is typically greeted with joy and excitement and is marked with congregational prayers and festivities that usually include family visits, gatherings, outings and new clothes.
In Saudi Arabia, Eid ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, March 20 while in India, the date is March 21 which is a Saturday.
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