March 16, 2026, 12:42 p.m. ET
- Many Muslim communities depend on Saudi Arabia’s official moon sighting to substantiate the date of Eid al-Fitr and the end of Ramadan.
- The vacation’s date is decided by the sighting of the waxing crescent moon, which begins the brand new month of Shawwal. Spotters may see the waxing crescent moon inside a number of days.
- Eid al-Fitr, the “festival of breaking the fast,” marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Wondering when Eid al-Fitr can be? Well, so are about 2 billion Muslims.
Ramadan is now properly into its last 10 nights. With the anticipated sighting of the waxing crescent moon occurring this week, almost 2 billion Muslims worldwide and the roughly 1% of Ohioans who are Muslim will have a good time Eid al-Fitr on the end of Ramadan, the holiest month within the Islamic calendar.
Does Eid al-Fitr have a particular date? How does Saudi Arabia declare the end of Ramadan? When will we see the brand new crescent moon? Here’s what to know in regards to the vacation that marks the end of the holy month.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2026? Has Saudi Arabia confirmed Eid al-Fitr?
Many Muslim communities around the globe depend on Saudi Arabia and their educated moon spotters to substantiate the date of the primary day of the month of Shawwal, Eid al-Fitr, based on Middle East Eye.
As Muslims await the waxing crescent moon sighting, Eid al-Fitr 2026 is anticipated to fall on the evening of March 18 or March 19, relying on when spotters see the waxing crescent moon, based on Islamic Relief.
Shawwal, the Islamic month that succeeds Ramadan, begins instantly upon the sighting of the crescent moon, or “Shawwal moon.” The first day of Shawwal brings Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.
Imagine explaining to your boss that you just want a time without work, however you aren’t positive if Eid is going to be on Thursday or Friday. You will not know for positive till the evening earlier than, since you could wait to see if the crescent moon is truly noticed. Once it is sighted, Muslims put together for one of many largest celebratory days in Islam.
When will the waxing crescent moon emerge? Possible timing for Eid al-Fitr, end of Ramadan
As of March 16, the moon is within the waning crescent part at 8% illumination, based on Space.com.
However, we would like a waxing crescent to substantiate the end of Ramadan. It is anticipated to seem on Wednesday, March 18 at 9:23 p.m. in Columbus, based on Time and Date.
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr is the primary of two celebratory days within the Islamic calendar, each noticed yearly. The vacation is marked on in the future, however some Muslims will have a good time the pageant for so long as three days. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the primary day of Shawwal, the tenth month within the Islamic calendar.
Eid is not on the identical date yearly. Like Ramadan, the date of the vacation is decided by the Islamic Hijri calendar, which is on a lunar cycle. Each yr, the beginning and end of Ramadan and each Eid holidays fall about 11 days sooner than the yr earlier than due to the lunar cycle. The sighting of the crescent moon determines the beginning of those holidays.
What does Eid imply?
Eid in Arabic means “festival” or “feast,” and Fitr means “breaking the fast.” In different phrases, Eid al-Fitr actually means “festival of breaking the fast.”
How do you pronounce Eid?
“Eid” could be mentioned just like the phrase “feed” with out the “f.” But this is a fast Arabic language lesson if you wish to know methods to actually pronounce it.
“Eid” is “عيد” in Arabic and is truly pronounced as “‘ayid.” The first Arabic letter of the phrase, ‘ع’, is a consonant, which is pronounced utilizing the again of your throat.
How is Eid al-Fitr celebrated? What do individuals do on Eid?
Muslims will get up early within the morning, getting ready meals and on the brink of attend Eid prayers at native masjids. It could really feel unusual for Muslims to eat throughout sunlight hours after a month of fasting between daybreak and sundown, however it is truly forbidden for Muslims to quick on Eid al-Fitr.
On Eid, Muslims will observe the best way of Prophet Muhammad, also called “Sunnah” in Islam. Sunnah is not adopted simply on Eid, however on daily basis. Specific Sunnahs on Eid embody:
- Taking a shower or bathe
- Wearing one’s finest garments and fragrance
- Saying “Takbeer” or praising God on the best way to Eid prayers
- Taking a unique path house from attending Eid prayer
Eid traditions differ from nation to nation, however buddies and households generally collect and spend time collectively at one another’s properties, having fun with sweets and scrumptious meals after Eid prayers within the morning. Children will obtain items and cash, also called “Eidi.”
How do you want somebody a cheerful Eid?
Muslims will hug their family and friends and greet them with “Eid Mubarak,” that means “blessed festival” in Arabic.
When is Eid al-Adha, the second Eid within the Islamic calendar?
The second Eid of the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Adha 2026, will fall on the tenth day within the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, which is predicted to fall on the night of May 26, and end on the evening of May 27.
