Which countries will celebrate Eid Al Fitr 2026 on Friday?

Countries confirm Friday as the first day of Eid after moon sighting and calculations.

Last updated:
Lekshmy Pavithran, Assistant Online Editor
Eid Al Fitr 2026 set for Friday in several countries following moon observations.
Eid Al Fitr 2026 set for Friday in several countries following moon observations.
Shutterstock

Several countries have confirmed Friday, March 20, 2026, as the first day of Eid Al Fitr, following the completion of 30 days of Ramadan and the unsuccessful sighting of the Shawwal crescent.

Countries confirming Eid on Friday include Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, and Australia.

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How moon sightings and calculations determined Eid

Crescent not sighted

  • Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait reported that the crescent was not sighted, setting Friday as Eid.

Calculations determine Eid

  • Turkey: Astronomical calculations determined Friday as Eid.

  • Australia: Calculations and moon observations confirmed Friday as Eid.

Official announcements

Thursday Eid in a few countries

Authorities in Afghanistan, Niger and Mali announced that Eid al-Fitr will be observed on Thursday, March 19, 2026, following confirmation of the Shawwal crescent.

Friday Eid across much of the Middle East and Africa

A large number of countries have declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the first day of Eid after completing 30 days of Ramadan or confirming the moon sighting.

These include Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, Maldives, Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen and Iraq.

In Africa, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Uganda, Nigeria, Chad, Gambia, Guinea, Benin, Senegal and Cameroon have also confirmed Friday for Eid celebrations.

Singapore announces Saturday Eid

Meanwhile, Singapore has announced that Saturday, March 21, will be Eid Al Fitr in the country, due to the impossibility of sighting the crescent from Singapore on Thursday.

Countries awaiting moon-sighting results

Several countries have yet to make an official announcement, including Gabon, Togo, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau and Suriname.

Moon sighting expected Thursday

Authorities in several countries will attempt to sight the Shawwal crescent on Thursday evening to determine whether Eid falls on Friday or Saturday.

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.

Final confirmations in these countries will depend on official announcements by national moon-sighting committees.

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