Eid 2026 Moon Sighting LIVE: Saudi Arabia announces the date for Eid; Know when Eid will be celebrated

Eid Moon Sighting Latest News & LIVE Updates: Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest festival for Muslims worldwide, has finally arrived. Following the holy month of Ramadan—marked by daily fasting from dawn until sunset—this festival is poised to bring joy into people's lives. Thursday, March 19, marks the 29th day of fasting in India. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia had appealed to the nation's citizens throughout Wednesday to look for the Shawwal moon in the evening; however, the moon was not sighted. Now, the moon is expected to be sighted in Saudi Arabia today—March 19—and Eid is scheduled to be celebrated on March 20.

Following the holy month of Ramadan—marked by daily fasting from dawn until sunset—this festival is poised to bring joy into people's lives.

However, if the moon is sighted in India on March 19, Eid celebrations could take place the very next day. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that the moon will be sighted in India on March 20. This is not a certainty, however; the moon could potentially be sighted in India on March 19 as well. Typically, Eid is celebrated in India one day after Saudi Arabia, owing to geographical differences in the sighting of the moon.

The festival of Eid is celebrated on the very day immediately following the last day of Ramadan. In the Islamic lunar calendar, it falls during the first three days of Shawwal—the tenth month of the Hijri year. Ramadan typically lasts for 29 to 30 days, followed by the Eid celebrations, which—according to the Islamic calendar—fall on the 1st of Shawwal. The sighting of the moon holds profound religious significance for the celebration of Eid, as the Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, and every new month commences only upon the sighting of the new moon.

Why is Eid celebrated a day earlier in Kerala?

Confusion regarding the date of Eid often arises in a vast country like India. In particular, discrepancies in the sighting of the moon are frequently observed between Kerala and the states of North India. In Kerala, the sea... Due to coastal proximity and clear skies, the moon becomes visible early in these regions, whereas in North India, the moon is not sighted on the same day. Consequently, it is considered appropriate to celebrate Eid on different days in these two locations.

Eid-ul-Fitr 2026

Eid-ul-Fitr is a major festival in the Muslim faith, celebrated following the conclusion of the entire month of fasting during Ramadan. It is also referred to as 'Meethi Eid' (Sweet Eid).

Eid Prayers in Dubai Scheduled for 6:40 AM; Preparations Underway in 900 Mosques

In Dubai, the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers have been scheduled for 6:40 AM, and authorities have confirmed that full preparations are in place across more than 900 mosques. To ensure arrangements that allow worshippers to offer their prayers safely and smoothly, these measures have been coordinated in collaboration with the Dubai Resilience Centre.

The Moon Sighting Committee convened to review testimonies and formally confirmed the commencement of the new month. This decision was reached in accordance with religious customs and in adherence to Islamic tradition.

Al-Harik Observatory Warns of Potential Obstacles in Moon Sighting

Abdul Majeed, an astronomer at the Al-Harik Observatory, stated that atmospheric turbidity could potentially hinder the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon.