SHARJAH: Astronomers at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology said Eid Al Fitr in the UAE is expected to fall on Friday, March 20, 2026, based on astronomical calculations for the start of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar. The holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the fasting month observed by Muslims worldwide. In the UAE, the final start date of Eid is confirmed through the country’s established official process for determining the beginning of lunar months.
The academy, through its Sharjah Astronomical Observatory, said its analysis of the Shawwal crescent for 1447 AH indicates Ramadan is set to complete 30 days. It said the crescent would not be visible on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, which corresponds to 29 Ramadan and is traditionally associated with attempts to sight the new moon. The academy said the moon would set before the sun that evening, a factor that prevents visibility.
Islamic months are based on the lunar cycle, and authorities in the UAE rely on formal procedures to announce the start and end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid Al Fitr. Astronomical calculations are widely used to assess the likelihood of crescent visibility, while official announcements provide the definitive date for public observance. Eid Al Fitr is marked by communal prayers, family visits and charitable giving, and it is one of the most significant dates on the UAE’s national calendar.
Public and private sector holidays
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has announced that the Eid Al Fitr holiday for the UAE federal government will run from Thursday, March 19, through Sunday, March 22, 2026. It said official working hours will resume on Monday, March 23. The announcement sets the federal schedule around the Eid period and provides a uniform framework for ministries and federal entities as residents plan travel, school breaks and family gatherings.
For the private sector, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said employees will receive a paid holiday from Thursday, March 19, to Saturday, March 21, 2026. The ministry added that the holiday will be extended to Sunday, March 22, if Ramadan concludes on its 30th day. The guidance applies to private sector employees across the country and aligns the potential long weekend with the federal government holiday window already set for public sector staff.
Eid timing and public observance
Eid Al Fitr begins on the first day of Shawwal and follows the conclusion of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. In the UAE, Eid is observed with special morning prayers and broader community activities, alongside increased demand for transport, hospitality and retail services during the holiday period. Government entities and employers typically issue operational schedules and service updates around Eid, including changes to working hours for public services and customer-facing offices.
The academy’s March 20 date projection is tied to its assessment that Ramadan will complete 30 days, making Thursday, March 19, the final day of fasting and Friday the first day of Eid. Authorities are expected to communicate final observance details through official channels used for religious calendar announcements, while the public and private sector holiday schedules already published provide the framework for time off across the UAE. – By Content Syndication Services.