Eid ul-Fitr 2026: Date Confirmed for South Africa & Saudi Arabia

Muslims in South Africa will observe Eid al-Fitr on Saturday, March 21, 2026, following the lack of a confirmed crescent moon sighting on Thursday evening, marking the end of Ramadan. The United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA) announced the decision, extending the fasting month to 30 days.

The UUCSA stated on its Facebook account that, “Following no confirmed reports of moon-sighting, the United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA) has determined that Blessed Ramadan 1447 ends with 30 days on Friday 20th March 2026. In South Africa, the 1st day of Shawwal 1447, the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, corresponds to Saturday 21st March 2026, in-sha-Allah.”

The decision contrasts with Saudi Arabia, where authorities announced that Eid al-Fitr will begin on Friday, March 20, 2026, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The Saudi Supreme Court determined that Thursday, March 19, 2026, marked the completion of 30 days of Ramadan.

The observance of Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, requires Muslims to abstain from food and drink from dawn until dusk. The end of Ramadan is traditionally determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, a practice that can vary based on geographical location and interpretations of Islamic law.

The Jamiatul Ulama South Africa’s Central Hilaal Committee coordinates moon sighting efforts on behalf of the UUCSA. The committee reported that the Hilâl would be visible for 14 hours and 56 minutes at sunset in Johannesburg on Thursday, March 19, 2026, but no sightings were confirmed.

This year’s Ramadan and the upcoming Eid celebrations are taking place against a backdrop of ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Observant Muslims are also encouraged to donate to the poor during this time.