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When will Eid Al Fitr 2026 start in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh?
In Afghanistan, Eid already started on Thursday, March 19, 2026
- PUBLISHED: Thu 19 Mar 2026, 9:36 AM UPDATED: Thu 19 Mar 2026, 8:06 PM
[Editor's note: This article has been edited after the moon sighting in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.]
Muslims around the world are gearing up for one of their two biggest feasts of the year—Eid Al Fitr which follows the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
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Due to the fact that the Islamic Hijri calendar is a lunar one, the date on which Eid starts may differ from one country to another. The sighting of the crescent moon of Shawwal takes place on the evening of the 29th day of Ramadan and represents an incident that is closely watched by the faithful worldwide.
This Ramadan started on different days across the Muslim world. For Saudi Arabia and the UAE, for example, the first day of the holy month was February 18, while in countries like Oman, Egypt, and Iran, February 19 was Ramadan 1.
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Eid in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh
For south Asian countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the sighting of the crescent moon took place after Maghrib prayer on Thursday, March 19.
Maghrib prayer in Islamabad on Thurday is at 6.18pm, Delhi at 6.32pm and Dhaka at 6.09pm. All timings are local.
India announced that the crescent was not sighted on Thursday, and that Eid Al Fitr would begin on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
Bangladesh too said that Friday would mark the last day of Ramadan, with Eid falling on Saturday, March 21.
Pakistan followed with its announcement that the moon had not been sighted on Thursday, and Saturday would mark the first day of Eid Al Fitr.
For Afghanistan, Eid already started on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
Yasmin Hussein is an Assistant Digital Editor who believes that every news story carries a human element. Her motto is 'get it first, but first get it right'.