Eid al Adha 2026 raises the question: when will this significant Islamic holiday be observed? In Pakistan, Eid al Adha is anticipated to be celebrated on Saturday, March 21, 2026, contingent on the local sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon.

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is set to convene on the evening of Thursday, March 19, to determine the sighting of the moon. If the crescent is sighted on Friday evening, celebrations will officially commence on Saturday morning.

Traditionally, Eid prayers in Pakistan are held shortly after sunrise in large gatherings at Eidgahs and prominent mosques, with most prayers scheduled between 6:30 AM and 8:30 AM PKT. This joyous occasion marks the end of Ramadan, a month dedicated to fasting, prayer, and reflection.

In 2025, Eid al Adha in Pakistan was celebrated on March 31, highlighting the variability of the holiday’s date, which is influenced by the physical sighting of the new crescent moon. The holiday schedule for 2026 includes a four-day extended holiday for the public sector from March 20 to March 23.

It is noteworthy that Eid al Adha 2026 is expected to be observed a day later in Pakistan compared to Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries, due to the reliance on local moon sightings. For instance, the Council of Ulema in Tajikistan has announced that Ramadan will last 29 days this year, with Eid al Adha celebrated on March 20.

In Saudi Arabia, the Eid al Adha holiday for private and non-profit sector employees will begin at the end of the working day on March 18, 2026. This discrepancy in dates across different countries underscores the significance of local lunar observations.

The Islamic calendar is lunar, causing the date of Eid to shift earlier each year by approximately 10 to 11 days. As such, the exact date of Eid in other countries remains dependent on moon sightings, which may vary. Details remain unconfirmed.