**Breaking News Alert | Middle East Desk | March 29, 2026**
**Eid al-Fitr 2026 Celebrations Begin Across Muslim World as Moon Sighted in Saudi Arabia**
**RIYADH, Saudi Arabia** – The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has officially confirmed the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon on the evening of March 29, 2026, declaring Monday, March 30, as the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Millions of Muslims worldwide are now commencing the three-day festival, marking the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.
**When (Timeframe):** The Eid al-Fitr celebrations begin at dawn local time on Monday, March 30, and are expected to conclude on Tuesday, April 1, depending on regional moon-sighting protocols.
**Where (Locations):** The announcement was made from the Saudi capital, Riyadh, with immediate effect for the Kingdom and many neighboring Gulf states. Simultaneous confirmations have been reported from Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and several North African nations. Differing sighting methodologies have resulted in some nations, including India and Morocco, postponing celebrations to Tuesday, March 31.
**What (Event Details):** The festival, also known as the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," traditionally begins with a special communal prayer known as *Salat al-Eid*, performed in large congregations at mosques and open-air prayer grounds (*Eidgahs*). Observances include the mandatory charitable donation of *Zakat al-Fitr*, extended family gatherings, the exchange of gifts, and the consumption of festive meals, ending a month-long dawn-to-dusk fasting period.
**Who (Key Figures & Population):** King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia has issued a formal congratulatory message to the Islamic world. Airline authorities report a global surge in passenger traffic, with over 3.5 million flights booked for domestic travel within the 57