Global Astronomers Predict Eid al-Fitr 2026 to Fall on Friday, 20 March

Jakarta — Eid al-Fitr (1 Syawal) marks the end of the month of Ramadan. When will Eid al-Fitr/Lebaran fall in 2026?

Eid al-Fitr is predicted to fall on Friday, 20 March 2026, according to astronomical calculations announced by the Sharjah Academy of Astronomy, Space Science and Technology.

According to Gulf News, astronomers stated that their calculations indicate Ramadan 1447 Hijriah will be exactly 30 days long. This means Friday will be the first day of Syawal and the beginning of Eid al-Fitr in the United Arab Emirates.

It should be noted that the United Arab Emirates itself began Ramadan on 18 February 2026, the same as Muhammadiyah members in Indonesia.

Astronomers explained that on Wednesday, 18 March, coinciding with the 29th day of Ramadan and the evening for observing the new moon, the lunar crescent will not be visible because the moon will set before sunset on the western horizon. As a result, the UAE will continue Ramadan observance on that evening, meaning Thursday, 19 March, will be the last day of Ramadan.

Aside from these parameters, experts described the conditions for observing the moon in the UAE as unfavourable. This means that viewing the lunar crescent will be extremely difficult, even with a telescope.

Because of this, several countries that rely solely on the hilal method—physical observation of the moon—will likely mark the beginning of Syawal or Eid al-Fitr on Saturday, depending on their local observations.