Eid al-Fitr likely on March 20 in Gulf countries

ABU DHABI: Regarding Eid al-Fitr in the Gulf countries, the Al-Ajri Scientific Center has made a prediction regarding the Shawwal moon.

According to a report by Arab media, the Al-Ajri Scientific Center predicted that according to astronomical calculations, the Shawwal moon is unlikely to be sighted on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2026 (29 Ramadan). In a statement, the center predicted that on that day, the moon will set before sunset in Kuwait and most other countries, due to which it will be impossible to see the moon astronomically.

According to the center, the birth of the new moon will occur on Thursday, March 19, at approximately 4:23 a.m. Kuwait time, which is the time after sunset on the day of sighting, confirming that the moon cannot be seen on the first night.

Based on these results, it is expected that the 30 days of Ramadan will be completed, Thursday, March 19 will probably be the last day of Ramadan, so there is a strong possibility that Friday, March 20, 2026 will be the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Al-Ajri Scientific Center emphasized that the official announcement of the beginning of the Hijri months will be made by the country’s competent authorities in accordance with the approved Sharia sighting procedures.