20 Mar, 10:27 (IST)

Muslims in Pakistan and Bangladesh will officially celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in Pakistan, led by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, and the National Moon Sighting Committee in Bangladesh confirmed on Thursday evening that the Shawwal crescent was not sighted. Consequently, Ramadan in both nations will complete a full 30-day cycle, with the final fast being observed on Friday.Similar determinations have been made in Iran, Oman, South Africa, and China, where the lack of a verified moon sighting on Thursday has pushed the start of the "Festival of Breaking the Fast" to Saturday.In contrast, several nations in Central and Western Asia will begin their festivities a day earlier on Friday, March 20, 2026.Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan reached this decision based on astronomical calculations and a unified fatwa issued by the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). In Japan, the Ruyat-e-Hilal Committee also declared Friday as the first day of Shawwal, aligning with many Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE that completed their 30 days of fasting on Thursday.In the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 is being celebrated today, Friday, March 20, for the majority of communities. The Fiqh Council of North America and the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America confirmed the date based on astronomical calculations and verified moon sightings on Thursday evening.In the UK, while some communities following local moon-sighting criteria may observe the festival on Saturday if the crescent was not visible to them, major organizations like Wifaqul Ulama and Islamic Relief UK have aligned with the Friday start date.

19 Mar, 20:18 (IST)

There have been no reports of Shawwal moon sighting from anywhere in Pakistan so far. Eid Ul Fitr is likely to be on March 21 in Pakistan.

19 Mar, 19:24 (IST)

The National Moon Sighting Committee of Bangladesh, led by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad), has officially announced that Eid Ul Fitr 2026 will be celebrated on Saturday, March 21. The decision was finalised during a meeting this evening after the committee confirmed that the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted anywhere in the country. Consequently, the holy month of Ramadan will complete 30 days tomorrow.

19 Mar, 19:21 (IST)

The search for Shawwal moon is underway in many parts of Pakistan. Meanwhile, a video has surfaced in which Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee head Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabeer Azad is seen looking for the moon. If the moon is sighted, Eid shall be celebrated tomorrow; otherwise on March 21.

19 Mar, 18:11 (IST)

In Pakistan, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet shortly. The panel, headed by Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabeer Azad, will verify reports of the Shawwal moon sighting, if any, and then announce whether Eid Ul Fitr 2026 will be observed on March 20 or 21.

19 Mar, 17:24 (IST)

Hi everyone, welcome to LatestLY. We are providing live news updates in this blog on the Eid 2026 moon sighting in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Oman, the US, UK, Canada and other countries where today, March 19, marks 29th of Ramadan (Ramzan) - Chand Raat. A first announcement is expected from Bangladesh where the sun will set shortly. Stay with us here to catch instant updates on Eid Ul Fitr moon sighting.

Millions of Muslims across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Middle East are shifting their gaze to the evening sky today as moon-sighting committees convene to determine the start of Eid Ul Fitr 2026. While several Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have already confirmed they will celebrate Eid 2026 March 20, countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Oman are observing the 29th day of Ramadan (Chand Raat) today, March 19. A confirmed sighting of the Shawwal crescent this evening would result in Eid celebrations beginning tomorrow; otherwise, Ramadan will complete 30 days, pushing the festival to Saturday, March 21. LatestLY is bringing live news updates on the Eid 2026 moon sighting announcements.

In Pakistan, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is meeting in Islamabad, with zonal committees holding simultaneous sessions in provincial capitals. Similarly, the National Moon Sighting Committee in Bangladesh is scheduled to meet at the Islamic Foundation after Maghrib prayers. Eid 2026 Moon Sighting in India Live News Updates.

Oman, which often observes the moon independently of its neighbors, is also conducting its official search today. Other nations looking for the crescent this evening include:

  • Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

  • Central Asia and Caucasus: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan.

  • Other Regions: Iran, Turkey, Japan, China, and South Africa.

While Turkey often relies on astronomical calculations and has already earmarked March 20 for celebrations, many other countries in this list strictly adhere to the physical sighting of the moon (Ruet).

Split Eid Moon Sighting in UK, US, Canada

Muslim communities in Western nations and the Southern Hemisphere are following a split Eid 2026 moon sighting schedule. In the US, UK, Canada and France, certain communities observed the moon sighting on March 18 and announced Eid 2026 date accordingly. However, some communities are holding the moon sighting sessions today to decide the Eid commecement. In Autsralia and New Zealand, some will look for the Shawwal moon today, which others begin their search on March 20. Eid al-Fitr 2026 Wishes, Eid Mubarak Greetings, Messages and HD Wallpapers To Share on Chand Raat.

Once the moon is confirmed, "Chand Raat" (Night of the Moon) festivities will begin, marked by late-night shopping and the preparation of traditional sweets like Sheer Khurma. The following morning, worshippers will gather in large open fields (Eidgahs) or mosques for the special Eid prayer, marking the formal end of the month-long fast of Ramadan.