This year in Ramadan, after 26 years, there is a special coincidence that there are five Fridays in the month of Ramadan. But an even bigger coincidence was that two Goodbye Jummas were celebrated, which further increased the spirituality of Eid. At the same time, religious leaders are saying goodbye to Friday twice as a reward from Allah.

After the month of Ramzan, the festival of Eid holds special significance, that is why people eagerly wait to see the moon. The date of Eid is decided with the sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia. Even on Thursday, March 18, the moon was not visible in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has announced the date of Eid ul Fitr 2026. Eid will be celebrated in Saudi Arabia on Friday (20 March).

There is enthusiasm among people regarding Eid. According to Saudi Press Agency, the Saudi Supreme Court has declared Thursday the last day of Ramadan and Friday the first day of Eid al-Fitr. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Bahrain have also declared Friday as the first day of Eid al-Fitr.

Actually, when Eid-ul-Fitr will happen depends on the sighting of the moon. The Islamic calendar is based on the movement of the moon. This is the reason that the exact date of Eid is not decided in advance. Every year, Eid is announced only after the moon is visible on the last day of Ramadan.

When Eid will be celebrated in India, it is decided on the basis of sighting of the moon in Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia. Eid moon has not been sighted in Saudi Arabia on March 18. After which Eid will be celebrated there on March 20.

When will Eid be celebrated in India?

Maulana Khalid Rashid said that the Eid moon will be seen on March 19 and if the moon is seen on that day then it will be celebrated on March 20, otherwise Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on March 21. He said that it will be announced at 7.30 pm.

Eid-ul-Fitr is also called ‘Meethi Eid’. People reach mosques from early morning to offer namaz. After this, they embrace each other and congratulate each other on Eid. Dishes like kheer and vermicelli are prepared in homes on Eid. People celebrate this festival together with brotherhood.

(This news is being updated)

Preparations for Eid ul Fitr 2026 have started in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Amidst the ongoing war in the Middle East, a major change has been made by the UAE administration regarding Eid. The UAE has banned places of offering prayers in the open and has announced that Eid prayers will be offered only in mosques.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowment and Zakat has announced this. This major change has been made due to the tension and sensitivity created in the Gulf region due to the war between America, Israel and Iran. This change is giving a new shape to the way of celebrating Eid this year.

Appeal to follow the rules

Usually in UAE, people celebrate Eid ul Fitr with prayers by gathering in open spaces. Thousands of people gather since morning to celebrate Eid, but this time it will not be seen like this. This has been confirmed by the officials. An appeal has been made to the worshipers to follow the guidelines of the mosque and reach before time to avoid crowd.

Claim of arrangements to handle the crowd

This change related to Eid namaz seems to be related to management. However, Eid namaz is not limited to just a religious obligation, but it is also linked to the emotions of the people. People can offer namaz together with their families in the open fields. At the same time, more people gather in mosques than the space available. However, people have been assured that complete arrangements have been made to handle the crowd in mosques.

The General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowment and Zakah announced the establishment of Eid al-Fitr prayer inside the mosque at the state level. pic.twitter.com/8eyBRsGH9J

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) March 17, 2026

No change in namaz timings

There has been no change in the timing of Eid prayers. Let us tell you that in UAE, Eid prayers are usually offered between 5.45 am to 6.30 am after sunrise, after which sermons and prayers are given.

The purpose of this decision is to ensure the safety of the people and to organize this large-scale event smoothly. This becomes more important when there is uncertainty in the area.

Eid 2026 Moon Sighting in Saudi Arabia: In the last days of Ramadan, the eyes of the whole world are fixed on the moon of Eid. Today, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the 28th fast of Ramadan has been observed in India and the 29th in Saudi. The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has today appealed to the Muslims to see the Eid moon in the evening.

But today is also Chaitra Amavasya on 18th March. Amavasya is the darkest night of the entire month, in which the moon is not visible. In such a situation, the question arises that, what will be the chances of seeing the new moon of Shawwal or the moon of Eid in Saudi Arabia on the new moon day.

What are the chances of seeing the moon in Saudi Arabia today?

According to astronomy, the chances of seeing the moon on Amavasya day are extremely less. The reason for this is that, on Amavasya, the Moon is in the sky along with the Sun, on the Amavasya night the Moon is completely invisible because it is between the Sun and the Earth and its illuminated part is towards the Sun, while the unilluminated (dark) part is towards the Earth. Due to this the sky remains dark. The probability of seeing the moon on Amavasya is equal to 0% (zero percent). However, this may not be possible under certain circumstances. On the next day of Amavasya, the first thin line of the Moon (Chandra Darshan) is visible, in which the probability of seeing the Moon increases slightly.

According to astronomers, Amavasya occurs when the Moon and the Sun are almost in the same direction and the illuminated part of the Moon is not visible from the Earth. In such a situation, the moon is in the sky, but it is very thin, dark and very close to the sun, hence it is difficult to see it.

According to experts, to see the new moon with eyes, it must be at least 18 to 24 hours old. Along with this, it is also necessary for the Moon to be at a sufficient height above the horizon and to remain in the sky for some time after sunset. If the moon is very young or sets soon after sunset, it is almost impossible to see it.

Appeal to see the moon in Saudi

An attempt will be made to see the new moon in Saudi Arabia today on Wednesday, March 18, although according to astronomical calculations, the age of the moon is likely to be very low today. But despite this, the possibility of seeing a very thin moon with the help of a telescope cannot be ruled out if the weather is clear and the position of the horizon is favourable. The Saudi Arabian Supreme Court had announced on Monday that Wednesday, March 18 will be the 29th day of Ramadan 1447 Hijri. Therefore, an appeal has been made to Muslims to see the moon on this day. If the moon is visible then Eid will be celebrated in Saudi on March 19 and if the moon is not visible then Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in Saudi on March 20.

Also read: Eid Ul-Fitr 2026 LIVE Updates: Moon seen in Saudi today, Eid tomorrow, when will be the last fast in India

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