Crescent Moon Not Sighted; Eid al-Fitr on March 20, 2026

The crescent moon that signifies the beginning of Shawwal 1447 AH was not sighted in Saudi Arabia, which implies that Ramadan will last for 30 days, with Eid al-Fitr set to be celebrated on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Sultan of Sokoto, who presides over the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, had previously announced the commencement of the search for the Shawwal crescent as part of the preparations to mark the end of Ramadan.

This announcement was made in a statement issued by the Sultan's council, signed by Sambo Wali Junaidu, the chairman of the advisory committee on religious affairs. The council set aside Wednesday, March 18, 2026, as the 29th day of Ramadan 1447 AH for nationwide moon sighting, urging Muslims to report credible sightings promptly.

The Sultan's council has also established a dedicated telephone line for direct communication regarding the verification of moon sightings, aligning with traditional Islamic practices.