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  • Published: Wed Mar 18, 2026, 4:00 PM

Crescent not sighted in UAE; when is first day of Eid Al Fitr?

By:Poojaraj ManiyeriMeher Dhanjal
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Key Events

7:57 PM,Mar 18, 2026

UAE announces March 20 is first day of Eid

7:52 PM,Mar 18, 2026

Saudi Supreme Court declares first day

7:47 PM,Mar 18, 2026

Qatar announces first day

7:04 PM,Mar 18, 2026

Crescent not sighted in Saudi Arabia; first day of Eid Al Fitr announced

4:58 PM,Mar 18, 2026

Turkey, Singapore announce Eid Al Fitr date

4:54 PM,Mar 18, 2026

Photos: How the world celebrates Eid

4:45 PM,Mar 18, 2026

Likely dates explained

Summary

  • UAE-based International Astronomical Centre has predicted that it will be "impossible" to sight the Shawwal crescent on March 18
  • Turkey, Australia, Singapore have announced Eid Al Fitr dates
  • UAE residents could experience cloudy weather and possibly rain during Eid Al Fitr 2026
  • Saudi Arabia and UAE both said that the crescent was not sighted, and that Friday will be the first day of Eid Al Fitr
  • 9:27 PM, Mar 18, 2026

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  • 7:04 PM, Mar 18, 2026

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  • 6:48 PM, Mar 18, 2026

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  • 6:39 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    Why telescopes are important 

    quote    Telescopes are a precise and important visual tool that helps with observation and supports the accuracy of verifying the sighting of crescent moons.

    Dr Abdullah Al Khudairi

  • 6:33 PM, Mar 18, 2026

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  • 6:29 PM, Mar 18, 2026

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  • 6:27 PM, Mar 18, 2026

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  • 6:10 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    'Atmosphere remains unclear'

  • 6:04 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    Cloudy conditions at Saudi's Sudair observatory

  • 6:02 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    Sudair observatory on conditions for crescent sighting

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  • 5:37 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    Ban on large gatherings in Kuwait

  • 5:35 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    Global Village Eid fireworks cancelled

  • 5:31 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    12 observatories looking for crescent in Saudi

  • 5:26 PM, Mar 18, 2026

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  • 5:21 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    Eid Al Fitr amid Iranian attacks

  • 5:17 PM, Mar 18, 2026

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  • 5:12 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    What about other countries?

  • 5:07 PM, Mar 18, 2026

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  • 5:04 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    First day of Eid Al Fitr in Australia

  • 4:58 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    Turkey, Singapore announce Eid Al Fitr date

  • 4:54 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    Photos: How the world celebrates Eid

  • 4:49 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    Want to join the search for the crescent?

  • 4:45 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    Likely dates explained

  • 4:35 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    'Ramadan just flew by'

  • 4:33 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    Why UAE residents will get 4-day break this year

  • 3:56 PM, Mar 18, 2026

    Bringing you the latest Eid updates