Australia Announces Eid al-Fitr on March 20; Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Prepare for Moon Sighting

Canberra: Australia has officially announced that Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Australian National Imams Council confirmed that the decision was made based on modern scientific calculations and the opinions of astronomical experts.

According to the council, scientific predictions indicate that the Shawwal moon is likely to be clearly visible on the evening of March 19, prompting the decision to observe Eid the following day. The Australian Fatwa Council also validated the announcement after consulting international scientific institutions and astronomical centers.

In Australia, Eid is often celebrated a day earlier or later than in other countries due to the emphasis on scientific methods for determining the lunar calendar.

Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, a significant meeting has been scheduled for March 18 to sight the Shawwal moon. The Supreme Court and Judicial Council have instructed officials to observe the moon on the 29th day of Ramadan and urged citizens to report sightings so that an official announcement can be made.

Pakistan

Pakistan has also completed preparations for moon sighting. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Islamabad on March 19, chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad. Zonal committees in major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta will also gather local moon sighting reports.

Astronomers explain that differences in Eid celebrations across countries are mainly due to variations in moon sighting methods—some rely solely on visual sightings, while others incorporate scientific calculations. As a result, Eid al-Fitr is often observed on different days around the world, a common practice within the Muslim community.