Saudi Arabia has not sighted the Shawwal moon, confirming Eid ul-Fitr on Friday, March 20. The announcement finalizes the end of Ramadan and sets the official Eid date. The decision affects millions of Muslims across the Kingdom and beyond.
Authorities conducted moon-sighting observations across multiple cities in Saudi Arabia. These sessions took place at designated observatories to verify the crescent’s appearance. However, officials confirmed that no credible sightings were reported from any region.
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Earlier, the Saudi Supreme Court had urged citizens to participate in moon sighting efforts. It requested people to report verified sightings to local authorities. Despite these appeals, no testimony met the required verification standards.
As a result, the Kingdom will complete 30 days of Ramadan this year. Authorities declared that the first day of Shawwal 1447 AH will fall on Friday. This follows established Islamic lunar calendar practices based on moon visibility.
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The announcement provides clarity for Eid preparations, including prayers and public holidays. Moreover, several countries may align their Eid dates with Saudi Arabia’s decision. Meanwhile, communities worldwide continue preparations for the upcoming celebrations.