Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet on March 19, 2026 (29th Ramadan) to sight the Shawwal moon, which will determine the official date of Eid-ul-Fitr in the country.
The meeting will take place after sunset, where religious scholars, meteorological experts, and officials will review testimonies of moon sightings from different parts of Pakistan before making an official announcement.
If the crescent moon of Shawwal is sighted on March 19, Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated the following day. However, if the moon is not visible, Ramadan will complete 30 days, and Eid will be observed a day later.
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Astronomical forecasts suggest that the chances of seeing the moon on March 19 may be low due to its age and visibility conditions. In that case, Eid-ul-Fitr is likely to fall on Saturday, March 21, 2026, though the final decision will depend on the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s official announcement.
Moon sighting plays a crucial role in the Islamic calendar, as the beginning of each lunar month — including Shawwal — is confirmed through the sighting of the crescent moon.
