Eid al-Fitr 2026.. Possible Difference in Date Among Islamic Countries

The International Astronomical Center revealed new details regarding the possibility of sighting the crescent moon of Shawwal and determining the first day of Eid al-Fitr for the year 2026 in several Islamic countries, indicating a potential difference in the date of the holiday among some nations.
The center explained that the crescent sighting will take place in several countries on March 18 and 19, depending on the differing start dates of Ramadan in these countries.

Countries That May Announce Eid on Friday

According to the center, the countries that began Ramadan on February 18 will look for the crescent on the evening of Wednesday, March 18.
It noted that the sighting of the crescent on that day is astronomically impossible due to the moon setting before the sun and the conjunction occurring after sunset, meaning those countries will complete thirty days of Ramadan, making Friday, March 20, the first day of Eid al-Fitr.

Difficult Sighting on Thursday

As for the countries that began Ramadan on February 19, they will look for the crescent on the evening of Thursday, March 19.
The center clarified that the crescent sighting on that day is not possible from the eastern part of the Islamic world, but it may be possible with difficulty using a telescope from West Asia and Central and North Africa.
It can also be seen with great difficulty by the naked eye in Western Europe and West Africa, while it becomes relatively easier to see in parts of North America.

Potential Difference in Eid Date

Although astronomical estimates indicate that the majority of countries may announce Friday, March 20, as the first day of Eid al-Fitr, the center pointed out that the difficulty of sighting the crescent in wide areas of the Islamic world may lead some countries to announce Saturday, March 21, as the first day of the holiday.

This difference usually occurs due to some countries relying on direct legal sighting of the crescent, while others depend on astronomical calculations alongside visual observation.