Saudi picks March 20 for Eid-el-Fitr celebration, Nigeria mum

Saudi Arabia has officially declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as Eid-el-Fitr 2026 after authorities confirmed that the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted on Wednesday evening.

The announcement, which was also shared via HaraminInfo social media platforms, aligns with the Kingdom’s official moon-sighting committees that rely on verified testimonies across multiple regions.

As a result, Thursday, March 19, 2026, will be observed as the 30th day of Ramadan, completing the fasting period.

In its message, the platform stated that the crescent moon was not sighted, which means that Muslims in Saudi Arabia will celebrate Eid-el-Fitr on Friday, marking the end of Ramadan 2026 and the beginning of Shawwal.

Globally, many countries that follow Saudi Arabia’s moon-sighting tradition are also expected to observe Eid on March 20, although differences may still occur in regions that rely on local moon sightings or astronomical calculations.

In Nigeria, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, has yet to announce the date for Eid-el-Fitr.

While Nigeria often aligns with Saudi Arabia, the country’s final decision depends on verified reports of the crescent moon from different parts of the nation. If the moon is not sighted locally, Nigeria is expected to also declare Friday March 20 as Eid el Fitr.