Eid ul Fitr 2026: South Africa announces official date; why is Eid on different days explained

South Africa will mark Eid ul Fitr on Saturday, March 21, 2026, a day after many Gulf nations and countries in the West, due to local moon-sighting traditions and astronomical data. This highlights the global diversity in determining Islamic festival dates, influenced by regional interpretations and scientific calculations, creating a familiar pattern across continents.