Eid al-Fitr 2026: Saudi Arabia calls for Shawwal crescent sighting on Mar 18

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on Muslims across the Kingdom to sight the Shawwal crescent on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2026 – with Eid al-Fitr falling either on March 19 or March 20 depending on the outcome.

The Supreme Court issued the crescent sighting call on Monday, March 16, 2026.
Muslims who spot the crescent with the naked eye or binoculars are asked to report to their nearest court or designated centre.

Eid al-Fitr will fall on Thursday, March 19 if the crescent is sighted on March 18, or Friday, March 20 if Ramadan completes 30 days.

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court issued an official call on Monday, March 16, 2026, asking Muslims across the Kingdom to look for the crescent moon of Shawwal 1447 AH on the evening of Wednesday, March 18 – the 29th of Ramadan.

The Supreme Court has called on any Muslim who sights the Shawwal crescent – whether with the naked eye or through binoculars – to report immediately to the nearest court and formally register their testimony.

Those unable to reach a court directly are asked to contact the nearest centre capable of relaying the report to judicial authorities.

This process of collective testimony forms the foundation of Saudi Arabia’s moon-sighting method, with the Supreme Court reviewing all submitted reports before issuing its final determination.

The Islamic lunar month runs either 29 or 30 days, making the crescent sighting the only way to confirm which applies.