Qatar’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) has called on Muslims across the country to observe the Shawwal crescent moon on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
The sighting of the crescent moon marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and determines the first day of Eid Al-Fitr.
In an official statement, the ministry’s Crescent Sighting Committee encouraged anyone who witnesses the crescent moon to report their testimony directly to the committee.
Observers are asked to visit the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs headquarters located in the Dafna (Towers) area to provide their account of the sighting.
The committee is scheduled to meet immediately after Maghrib prayer on the evening of March 18 to review testimonies and confirm the start of the Islamic month of Shawwal.
Based on the verified sightings, the committee will make the official announcement regarding the first day of Eid Al-Fitr in Qatar.
If the crescent moon is successfully sighted on March 18, Eid Al-Fitr is expected to begin on Thursday, March 19, 2026. However, the final confirmation of the Eid date will depend on the official decision issued by the Crescent Sighting Committee after reviewing the reports.
The ministry also urged members of the public to participate in the traditional moon sighting process, which has long been used across the Muslim world to determine the beginning of Shawwal and the conclusion of Ramadan.