Saudi Arabia is now just days away from Eid Al-Fitr 1447H, with the International Astronomical Center (IAC) confirming that the crescent moon of Shawwal will not be visible on the evening of Wednesday March 18 — meaning Ramadan will complete its full 30 days and the first day of Eid will fall on Friday, March 20, 2026.
IAC Rules Out Crescent Sighting on March 18
The International Astronomical Center, whose assessments are closely followed by religious authorities across the Arab world, has issued a formal determination that the visibility of the new crescent of Shawwal on the evening of March 18 is astronomically impossible. The moon’s angular separation from the sun at that time will be insufficient for naked-eye observation, and the crescent will set before or almost simultaneously with the sun across the region.
This determination aligns with the Umm Al-Qura calendar calculation that places the beginning of Ramadan 1447H on February 18, giving the holy month exactly 30 days when no crescent is confirmed on the 29th. For Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf, this means the official moon sighting committee session on the evening of March 18 is expected to result in a declaration that the crescent has not been sighted — completing Ramadan and placing Eid Al-Fitr on Friday March 20.
What This Means for Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Supreme Court traditionally issues its official announcement following the moon sighting committee’s session on the 29th of Ramadan. On the basis of the IAC’s findings, the committee is widely expected to confirm that March 18 marks the 29th of Ramadan and that no crescent was sighted, officially making March 19 the 30th day of Ramadan and March 20 the first day of Shawwal — and thus the first day of Eid Al-Fitr 1447H.
Saudi Arabia has already prepared extensively for the Eid holiday period. The Haramain High Speed Railway has activated a surge operations plan to handle the millions of pilgrims and visitors travelling between Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah over the holiday. Saudi banks and financial institutions will observe a holiday closure from March 17 through March 23, in line with Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) guidance.
A Ramadan Concluding in Spiritual Significance
The final days of Ramadan 1447H have been marked by heightened religious activity across the Kingdom, with millions attending prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. The last ten nights of Ramadan, which include Laylat al-Qadr — considered the holiest night of the Islamic calendar — have drawn particularly large crowds to both sites.
The expected March 20 date for Eid Al-Fitr also coincides with the first day of spring, adding a seasonal dimension to one of Islam’s two major annual celebrations. Families across Saudi Arabia are making preparations for the holiday, with retailers, restaurants, and hospitality venues gearing up for the celebratory period. Mother’s Day, which falls on March 21 in the Arab world, adds a further layer to what promises to be a particularly meaningful end to this year’s Ramadan season.
