With the joyous occasion of Eid al-Fitr fast approaching, millions of people across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab countries are eager to confirm the date of celebration. A flurry of activity has ignited online, where searching phrases like "when is Eid?" and "Eid al-Fitr 2025 date" dominate Google trends.
Astronomical calculations suggest that the crescent moon marking the beginning of Shawwal, 1446 AH, will appear on Saturday, March 29, 2025, corresponding to the 29th of Ramadan. However, experts warn that sighting the crescent on this date will be impossible in most Islamic and Arab countries due to various factors. These include the timing of the moon's disappearance relative to sunset and its position in the sky at that time. For most major cities, like Jakarta and Cairo, conditions will not be favorable for a clear view.
According to astronomers, the moon will set before or shortly after the sun in many regions. For example, in Jakarta, the moon will be six minutes behind sunset, making visibility futile. In Mecca, the moon will be eight minutes after sunset, but will only have a lifespan of three hours and 28 minutes, and will appear only 2.2 degrees above the horizon. Other cities, such as Cairo and Rabat, will experience similar constraints with minimal viewing angles.
This astronomical dilemma leads to a likely outcome: most Arab and Islamic countries are expected to complete Ramadan with 30 days. Hence, Eid al-Fitr is predicted to fall on Monday, March 31, 2025, in countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, and Palestine.
While the news appears grim for astronomical observers, a notable exception could arise. Some countries might choose to defy astronomical predictions and announce that Eid will begin on Sunday, March 30, 2025, based purely on religious sighting traditions. Historical precedent suggests that this could happen due to misinterpretations or overestimates of crescent visibility.
Adding to the anticipatory atmosphere, approximately 11.5 million Egyptians are waiting for the disbursement of their pensions just as Eid approaches. The Public Authority for Social Insurance has decided to advance the schedule for disbursing April's salaries to accommodate beneficiaries ahead of the holiday. Workers can expect to begin receiving their payments on Monday, March 25, 2025, rather than the usual first of the month—aimed at ensuring convenience given the upcoming festivities.
This early disbursement will allow retirees to collect their pensions from various sources, including ATMs of banks and post offices. The three-day time window for pension withdrawals is set for March 25 to 27, 2025.
For the elderly and other pensioners, the Public Authority's website will remain accessible, providing instant information about the pension payment schedule. Inquire about benefits by accessing the authority's website, selecting the pensions query option, and entering your details including your full name and national ID number.
As excitement builds for both the impending Eid and the early pension disbursement, 2025 Eid al-Fitr promises to hold both delights as well as challenges for the many who celebrate it.
