Astronomical calculations from the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST) indicate that Eid Al Fitr in the UAE is likely to fall on Friday, March 20, 2026, completing 30 days of Ramadan.
The academy’s observatory said the Shawwal crescent moon is unlikely to be visible locally on the expected sighting night, based on current astronomical data.
Crescent calculations
According to SAASST, there will be no visible new moon on Wednesday, March 18, which corresponds to the 29th day of Ramadan. On that evening, the moon is expected to set before the sun in the western sky, making crescent sighting impossible.
As a result, Thursday, March 19 is expected to complete the 30th day of Ramadan in the UAE. The observatory said the moon’s surface conjunction over Sharjah will occur at 4:24am UAE time on Thursday.
Visibility conditions
By sunset on March 19, the crescent will be 14 hours and six minutes old, with an angular separation of 6.5 degrees from the sun and positioned six degrees above the western horizon.
The moon is expected to remain visible for 29 minutes after sunset, but the academy said these conditions make crescent sighting improbable even with telescopes and impossible with the naked eye in the UAE.
Regional differences
The observatory noted that some Arab and Muslim countries may still be able to observe the crescent with the naked eye or telescopes due to more favorable geographic conditions.
Countries that began Ramadan on Thursday, February 19, rather than Wednesday as in the UAE, could mark Eid Al Fitr on Saturday, March 21, depending on their moon-sighting methods.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
