Egypt Awaits Eid al-Fitr Announcement: A Nation Holds Its Breath
Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta (the official fatwa issuing authority) is preparing to announce the result of the Shawwal crescent sighting, determining the start of Eid al-Fitr. Dr. Nazir Muhammad Uyyad, the Mufti of the Republic, is expected to deliver the announcement live on Egyptian television from his office at Dar al-Ifta.
Global Eid al-Fitr Predictions: A Varied Landscape
According to the International Astronomy Center, predictions for the first day of Eid al-Fitr, based on the latest official updates and crescent observations in several Arab countries, vary. Afghanistan, Niger, and Mali are predicted to celebrate on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
The majority of countries, including the Maldives, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, Iraq, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Uganda, Nigeria, Chad, Gambia, Guinea, Benin, Senegal, and Cameroon, are expected to commence Eid al-Fitr on Friday, March 20, 2026.
Singapore will observe the first day of Eid on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The status of Gabon, Togo, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, and Suriname remains unconfirmed as of this report.
Countries Observing the Crescent Today
Several nations are actively observing the crescent moon today, Thursday, to determine whether Eid will begin on Friday or Saturday. These include Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Comoros, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Guyana, Albania, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan.
.إعلان نتيجة رؤية هلال شوال 
دار الافتاء تستعد لإعلان نتيجة رؤية هلال شوال
Who is Dr. Nazir Muhammad Uyyad?
Dr. Nazir Muhammad Muhammad al-Nazir Uyyad, born January 20, 1974, in Kafr El Sheikh Governorate, Egypt, is the current Mufti of the Republic of Egypt and President of the General Secretariat of Dar al-Ifta’s Houses and Bodies Worldwide. He holds a doctorate in Islamic Creed and Philosophy from Al-Azhar University. He is considered a prominent scholar of Al-Azhar and has held several high-ranking positions, including Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy.
FAQ: Eid al-Fitr and Crescent Sighting
- What determines the start of Eid al-Fitr? The sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon.
- Who announces the start of Eid in Egypt? The Mufti of the Republic, Dr. Nazir Muhammad Uyyad.
- Why do dates vary between countries? Differences in moon sighting methodologies and geographical locations.
Pro Tip: Follow Dar al-Ifta’s official channels for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the Eid al-Fitr announcement.
Explore more about Islamic traditions and celebrations here.
