Eid Al Fitr UAE date is expected on March 19 2026; four days long weekend for residents

SHARJAH: (Updated: March 12) The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology has predicted that Eid Al Fitr UAE date will fall on Friday, 20 March 2026, following astronomical calculations regarding the Shawwal crescent moon.

According to the academy’s astronomical observatory, Ramadan for the year 1447 AH is expected to complete a full 30 days in the UAE. This means Wednesday, March 18, will mark the final day of the holy month, with Eid celebrations beginning the following day.

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Dubai Government’s Human Resources Department announced that government employees will have a four-day break from Thursday, March 19 to Sunday, March 22, with work resuming on Monday, March 23.

The observatory also revealed that the moon’s conjunction will occur above Sharjah at 4:24am UAE time on Thursday, 19 March.

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By sunset later that day, the crescent will be approximately 14 hours and six minutes old with an elongation of about 6.5 degrees from the sun and positioned around six degrees above the western horizon. It is expected to remain visible for around 29 minutes after sunset.

Astronomers said these conditions make sighting extremely difficult. Even telescopic observation would be challenging, while naked-eye viewing locally is considered impossible.

Meanwhile, the UAE will sight the crescent moon of Shawwal on Wednesday, March 18 after Maghrib prayers to determine the start of Eid Al Fitr, as the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle. Eid Al Fitr UAE date is expected to will fall on Thursday, March 19.

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The observatory noted that some countries across the Arab and Muslim world may still be able to observe the crescent depending on geographic conditions. However, nations that began Ramadan on the same day as the UAE are expected to celebrate Eid on the same date.

The prediction by the Sharjah observatory provides early guidance, although the official Eid Al Fitr UAE date will ultimately be confirmed through traditional moon sighting procedures.