As the crescent moon signals the end of Ramadan, the Islamic world prepares to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, a festival marking the conclusion of a month of fasting and spiritual reflection. This year, the holiday will be observed on different days across various countries due to the varying moon sighting reports.
On Sunday, March 30, 2025, many Muslim-majority countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, will mark the start of Eid Al Fitr. These nations confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon on Saturday evening, prompting their celebrations to commence on the traditional day.
In contrast, several other countries, such as Oman, Jordan, Syria, and Indonesia, have announced that Eid will begin on Monday, March 31, 2025. In Oman, for instance, the Moon-Sighting Committee declared that the crescent moon was not visible on Saturday evening. Consequently, Oman will complete 30 days of fasting, with Eid officially beginning on March 31.
Similar announcements were made in Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya, where religious authorities confirmed that Sunday would be the final day of Ramadan. Indonesia, which boasts the world’s largest Muslim population, along with Pakistan, Malaysia, Brunei, India, Bangladesh, and Australia, also declared Monday as the first day of Eid.
The situation in Iraq is particularly noteworthy. While both the Sunni Endowment Office and the office of Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, the highest Shiite authority in the country, declared that Eid would fall on Monday, the Kurdistan Regional Government announced that celebrations would commence on Sunday. This discrepancy illustrates the complexities of moon sighting practices within the Muslim community.
In addition to the aforementioned countries, Turkey, Yemen, Palestine, Sudan, and Lebanon confirmed the crescent moon’s sighting on Saturday, aligning their celebrations with those of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. In Lebanon, Sunni authorities confirmed that Sunday would be Eid, while the Shiite Higher Islamic Council decided to postpone its decision until Sunday evening, indicating that Eid could potentially fall on Monday or Tuesday for Shiite communities, depending on visibility.
As of Saturday, March 29, 2025, a total of 11 countries had announced they would celebrate Eid on Sunday, while 15 others declared Monday as the first day of Eid. Some countries were still awaiting local crescent sightings or had yet to issue official statements.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the Central Hilal Committee of North America provided an update regarding Eid-ul-Fitr. The committee reported that all sub-committees unanimously confirmed that the crescent moon was not sighted on Saturday, March 29. As a result, they declared that Monday, March 31, 2025, will be Eid-ul-Fitr in the U.S.
The committee shared this information on social media platform X, stating, "The hilal for Shawwal was looked for throughout the United States on Saturday, and the CHC confirmed that it was NOT SIGHTED. Sunday will be the 30th of Ramadan. Monday, March 31, 2025, will be Eid ul Fitr 1446."
The significance of moon sighting cannot be understated, as it determines the exact date of Eid-ul-Fitr, which varies each year. The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, with each month beginning with the sighting of the new moon. This tradition has long been a cornerstone of the Muslim community, signaling the start of various religious festivals and celebrations.
Communities across the U.S. are gearing up for festive celebrations. According to Masjid Bilal, a prominent Muslim society in New Jersey, Muslims will come together to celebrate Eid, featuring activities that include free food, goody bags, and various children’s activities, all aimed at creating a joyful atmosphere.
As the day approaches, the anticipation for Eid is palpable. With families preparing for gatherings and communities organizing events, the festival promises to be a time of joy, reflection, and gratitude. Whether celebrating on Sunday or Monday, the essence of Eid Al Fitr remains the same: a celebration of unity, faith, and the spirit of giving.
In summary, the differences in moon sighting practices have led to a unique situation this year, with some countries observing Eid on Sunday and others on Monday. This divergence reflects the rich tapestry of Islamic traditions and the importance of local customs in determining religious observances.
As Muslims around the world prepare for this momentous occasion, the spirit of Eid Al Fitr shines brightly, bringing communities together in celebration and gratitude.
