The crescent moon of Shawwal could not be sighted: Friday is the first day of Eid al-Fitr
The Royal Court, based on a decision by the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia, announced that the crescent moon of Shawwal was not sighted on Wednesday evening. Therefore, Thursday will be the 30th and final day of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH, and Friday, March 20, 2026, will be the first day of Shawwal and the first day of Eid al-Fitr. This announcement followed careful monitoring by moon-sighting committees and astronomical observatories throughout the Kingdom.
Details of the investigation and sighting of the crescent moon of Shawwal for the year 1447 AH
The Supreme Court had called upon all Muslims throughout the Kingdom to look for the crescent moon of Shawwal on the evening of Wednesday, the 29th of Ramadan of this year, 1447 AH, according to the Umm al-Qura calendar, corresponding to March 18, 2026. The Court requested that anyone who sees the crescent moon with the naked eye or using binoculars report it to the nearest court and register their testimony. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia relies on the sighting of the crescent moon, in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), to determine the beginning of the Islamic months, while also utilizing modern astronomical techniques and advanced observatories such as the Sudair and Tumair observatories to support official committees and confirm astronomical calculations.
The legal and astronomical foundations for determining the beginnings of the Islamic months
Historically, determining the beginnings of lunar months, especially Ramadan and Shawwal, has been of paramount importance in the Islamic world due to its close connection to religious observances. Since its founding, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been committed to meticulous accuracy in this matter, establishing specialized committees comprised of leading Islamic scholars and astronomy experts. The methodology employed combines religious texts that encourage visual observation with modern science, which determines the possibility of sighting the new moon based on its birth and its altitude above the horizon after sunset. This harmony between religious law and science reflects the historical and institutional development in the management of religious affairs, making the Kingdom's announcements a trusted reference for millions of Muslims worldwide.
The impact of announcing the date of Eid on both the local and Islamic levels
The announcement of the date of Eid al-Fitr carries immense importance and far-reaching implications, extending from the local to the regional and international levels. Domestically, within the Kingdom, this announcement dictates the scheduling of official holidays for both the public and private sectors, and allows citizens and residents to begin preparations for Eid prayers and family visits, positively impacting economic and commercial activity in the markets. Regionally and internationally, many Islamic countries and Muslim communities in Western nations eagerly await the Kingdom's announcement and follow its lead in determining the start of Eid, given Saudi Arabia's status as the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Qibla for Muslims. This anticipation underscores the Kingdom's leading role in unifying Islamic rituals and strengthening spiritual bonds among Muslims worldwide, thus imbuing the joy of Eid with a global dimension that unites the Muslim Ummah as one.
