Eid Al Fitr 2026 will be celebrated on Friday, March 20 in the UAE and several Gulf countries because the Shawwal crescent was not sighted, which marks the completion of the 30-day Ramadan. The UAE confirmed the date on Wednesday after observations by the Moon Sighting Committee reported no confirmed sighting of the crescent moon on Wednesday evening. As a result, the holy month of Ramzan will be completed on Thursday, March 19, with Eid starting the next day. The sighting of the Shawwal crescent traditionally signals the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid al Fitr, one of the most important festivals in the Islamic calendar. Similar announcements were made throughout the Bay Area. Saudi Arabia confirmed that the crescent moon was not sighted after reviewing reports submitted by courts and observatories across the kingdom. In a statement, the Saudi Royal Court said there had been no confirmed sightings, despite Friday, March 20, being the first day of Eid. Kuwait’s Sharia Vision Authority also confirmed that Ramadan will be completed on Thursday, with Eid al Fitr falling on Friday. Bahrain and Qatar issued similar confirmations, with both countries declaring March 20 as the first day of Eid after the crescent moon was not sighted. In Qatar, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) said Thursday marked the 30th and final day of Ramadan, in line with a broader regional declaration. Earlier, the UAE had already outlined the Eid holidays for both public and private sector employees. According to the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, the public sector holidays will last from Thursday, March 19 to Sunday, March 22, with work resuming on Monday, March 23. For the private sector, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced a holiday from Thursday, March 19 to Saturday, March 21. The ministry said that if Ramzan completes 30 days, the holiday will extend till Sunday, March 22. With the date now confirmed, preparations for Eid celebrations have begun across the region, as families and communities come together to mark the end of Ramadan.