The UAE-based International Astronomy Centre (IAC) has announced that sighting the Shawwal crescent on March 18 will be impossible, confirming that Ramadan will complete 30 days this year. According to astronomical calculations, the first day of Eid ul Fitr in the UAE and Saudi Arabia will fall on March 20, though the date may vary in other countries.
IAC explained that the crescent will not be visible on March 18 because the moon sets before the sun and the conjunction occurs after sunset. For March 19, crescent visibility varies globally: it will be impossible in eastern regions, difficult with telescopes in western Asia and northern Africa, extremely difficult with the naked eye in western Europe and western Africa, and relatively easy in most of North America.
The astronomers noted that crescent sighting depends on multiple factors, including its age, angular distance from the sun, and persistence above the horizon.
The minimum observed values for sighting are 15 hours 33 minutes of age, 7.6 degrees angular distance, and 29 minutes of persistence.
The UAE has announced Eid holidays for both public and private sectors from March 19 to 21, with private-sector holidays extended to March 22 if Ramadan completes 30 days.
