Eid Al Fitr 2026 in the UAE is expected to fall on Friday, March 20, according to astronomical calculations by the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST). The academy says Ramadan 1447 AH will run a full 30 days, making Friday the first day of Shawwal and therefore the start of Eid Al Fitr celebrations across the country.
When Is Eid Al Fitr 2026 in UAE?
SAASST has calculated that Friday, March 20, 2026 is the expected first day of Shawwal 1447 AH — and Eid Al Fitr — in the UAE and many other Islamic countries.
The academy said Ramadan is likely to complete its full 30 days, meaning the Islamic month will end on Thursday, March 19, with Eid Al Fitr beginning the following day.
Official confirmation, however, will depend on moon-sighting announcements from UAE authorities.
Crescent Moon Visibility: Why March 18 Is Ruled Out
Astronomers explained that no visible new moon is expected on Wednesday, March 18 — which corresponds to the 29th day of Ramadan.
On that evening, the moon is predicted to set before the sun in the western sky, making crescent visibility impossible from the UAE. This effectively rules out any early start to Eid on March 19.
What the Astronomical Data Shows
The Sharjah Academy reported that the moon's surface conjunction will occur at 4:24am UAE time on Thursday, March 19.
By sunset later that day, the crescent moon will have these characteristics:
- Age: 14 hours and 6 minutes - Elongation from the sun: 6.5 degrees - Height above western horizon: 6 degrees - Visibility window: Around 29 minutes after sunset
Despite being technically above the horizon, astronomers said the crescent would still be extremely difficult to observe locally — even using telescopes. Advanced imaging techniques may potentially capture it faintly, though the probability remains low.
Some Countries May Observe Eid on Saturday
SAASST also noted that some countries may observe Eid Al Fitr 2026 on Saturday, March 21, depending on their local moon-sighting methods and the date on which Ramadan began in each country.
The final confirmation for the UAE will come from official moon-sighting authorities closer to the date.
