Saudi Arabia is counting down to Eid Al-Fitr 1447H, with the official crescent moon sighting expected to take place on Wednesday evening, March 18, 2026, corresponding to the 29th of Ramadan. Should the crescent of Shawwal be sighted that evening, the Kingdom will celebrate Eid Al-Fitr on Thursday, March 19. If the moon is not visible, a 30th day of fasting will complete Ramadan and Eid will fall on Friday, March 20.
The Moon Sighting Tradition
Saudi Arabia follows the practice of naked-eye crescent moon sighting as the basis for declaring the start of Shawwal and the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr, a tradition rooted in Islamic jurisprudence and upheld by the Supreme Court of the Kingdom. The Supreme Court calls on all residents across Saudi Arabia to look for the crescent on the 29th night of Ramadan and to report any confirmed sightings to local courts, which then relay the information to the highest religious authority for an official declaration.
Astronomical calculations indicate that the new crescent moon of Shawwal 1447H will be born during the daytime on Wednesday March 18, making it potentially visible in the western sky after sunset that evening. The exact degree of visibility varies by location, atmospheric conditions, and the age of the crescent at sunset, which is why Saudi Arabia’s official announcement may differ by a day from some other countries.
National Preparations and the Eid Holiday
With Eid Al-Fitr days away, preparations across Saudi Arabia are in full swing. Shopping centers and markets have seen elevated foot traffic in the final days of Ramadan as families purchase new clothing, gifts, and celebration essentials. Saudi Central Bank SAMA has already put in place a seven-day banking closure from March 17 to March 23 to cover the Eid holiday period, ensuring residents have access to cash and essential financial services through seasonal and airport branches that remain open during the break.
The Kingdom’s major airports, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, are preparing for a surge in travel as families reunite across regions and citizens return to their hometowns. Airlines including the national carrier Saudia and low-cost carrier flynas have been operating expanded Eid-season schedules to accommodate the spike in demand.
The Final Days of Ramadan
As the holy month draws to a close, millions of worshippers in Saudi Arabia are observing the final nights of Ramadan with extended prayers, Quran recitation, and the search for Laylat Al-Qadr — the Night of Power — which is believed by Muslims to fall within the last ten odd nights of Ramadan. The Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah remain open around the clock, with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and worshippers gathering for Tarawih and Qiyam prayers. Saudi Arabia has deployed tens of thousands of personnel, security officers, and volunteers to manage the crowds and ensure a safe and spiritually meaningful final stretch of Ramadan for all who gather in the holy cities.
