Authorities in Saudi Arabia have declared that Eid-el-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, 2026, after confirming that the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted on Wednesday evening.
The announcement was made known on the HaraminInfo handles across all social media platforms on Wednesday.
“The crescent moon has NOT been sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, #EidAlFitr will be celebrated on Friday, 20th March 2026. May Allāh allow us to utilise the remaining moments of this blessed month to engage in that which pleases Him, may He accept our siyām, qiyām & a’māl and may He allow us to witness many more Ramadāns in good health. Āmīn,” the platform wrote .
The authorities explained that they observed from Dammam, the first city in the Kingdom where the crescent moon of Eid-el-Fitr is sighted, through to Tabuk, the last city where the sighting ends.
“Dammam – the first city in the Kingdom where the crescent moon of Eid al-Fitr is sighted. Tabuk – the last city in the Kingdom where the sighting ends. Until now: Cloudy conditions continue at most observation sites across the Kingdom. Rain is currently heading toward observation sites across the Kingdom,” the statement added .
Saudi Arabia’s declaration typically sets the tone for many Muslim countries, including Nigeria, where the official announcement rests with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who serves as the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs .
The Sultan had earlier urged Muslims across Nigeria to look out for the Shawwal crescent on Wednesday, March 18, corresponding to the 29th day of Ramadan 1447AH . The Sultanate Council provided dedicated telephone lines for reporting credible sightings directly to the Sultan’s office .
As of the time of filing this report, Nigerians are awaiting confirmation from the Sultan regarding the moon’s sighting, which will determine the official date for Eid-el-Fitr celebrations across the country.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government had earlier declared Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, 2026, as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Fitr celebration . The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Muslim faithful and urged them to sustain the virtues of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice emphasized during Ramadan .
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos have also announced they will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of the holiday .
Eid-el-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection observed by millions of Muslims worldwide .
