Eid 2026: Eid-ul-Fitr is a very special and sacred festival for the Muslim community. It is an occasion to celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan. After fasting for a month in Ramadan, when the first moon (Hilal) of Shawwal month is visible, Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated.
It is also called Sweet Eid because on this day sweet dishes like vermicelli, sheer khurma, fruits and various types of sweets are prepared. The biggest feature of this festival is that its date is decided according to the Islamic Hijri lunar calendar, which depends on the sighting of the moon. Therefore, this date keeps changing every year in the Gregorian calendar.
The moon of Shawwal was not visible in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf countries on March 18, 2026. Therefore, after completion of 30 days of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated there on Friday, March 20, 2026. After the official announcement of Saudi Arabia, many countries like UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman have also adopted the same date. In Pakistan too, the same date is followed in most places, although there may be a difference at some places depending on the sighting of the local moon.
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In India, Eid is usually celebrated a day later than in Saudi Arabia because the time of sighting of the moon is different here. The moon is visible first in Gulf countries. Since Eid will be on March 20 in Saudi Arabia in 2026, the moon is expected to be sighted in India on the evening of March 19 or March 20. According to most reports and estimates, Shawwal moon is most likely to be seen in India on March 20, 2026, after which Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Saturday, March 21, 2026. However, if the moon is visible in India on the evening of March 19, then Eid can also happen on March 20, but according to the current updates, March 21 is more likely. One should wait for the official announcement from Ruyat-e-Hilal Committee or local mosques/organizations in India.
Eid-ul-Fitr is not just a day of celebration, but it is also an opportunity to help others. On this day, it is important to give Zakat-ul-Fitr (Fitrana), which is given to the needy so that they can also celebrate Eid. Apart from this, delicious dishes are prepared at home – vermicelli, biryani, kebab, halwa, fruits and various types of sweets. Children wear new clothes and take Idi (money or gifts) from elders. People meet each other, hug and congratulate each other by saying ‘Eid Mubarak’. This festival is a symbol of brotherhood, happiness, kindness and thanksgiving to Allah.
