Fez — Iraq has announced Friday, March 20, as the first day of Eid Al Fitr 2026, with official institutions moving to implement the holiday schedule tied to the end of Ramadan.
The country’s moon-sighting committee announced that the crescent marking the beginning of Shawwal wasn’t observed this evening, meaning Ramadan will conclude after 30 days this year.
Shawwal is the tenth month of the Islamic calendar and signals the end of fasting.
Working hours will be suspended for Eid Al Fitr starting Wednesday, March 18, a timeline that aligns with the holiday period leading into the beginning of Shawwal.
In practice, that means Muslims across Iraq are preparing to conclude Ramadan and transition into one of the most important celebrations in the Islamic calendar. Eid Al Fitr marks the end of a month of fasting from dawn to sunset and is traditionally observed with early morning congregational prayers, family visits, festive meals, and charitable giving.
The Iraqi announcement places the country among those beginning Eid on Friday this year. While different Muslim-majority states can adopt different methods for confirming the end of Ramadan, Iraq’s official notices now point clearly to a Friday start for the holiday period.
As preparations intensify, mosques, families, and public institutions across Iraq are moving from the final stretch of Ramadan into Eid mode, with the coming days centered on prayer, reunion, and the social traditions that define the holiday season.