As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close, Muslims around the world eagerly anticipate the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a significant religious holiday that marks the end of fasting. In 2025, the date of Eid al-Fitr is generating considerable discussion and differing opinions among astronomers and religious authorities regarding its precise timing. Social media platforms are abuzz with videos and statements from various specialists, each presenting their perspective on when the crescent moon of Shawwal will be sighted, thus signaling the start of the festivities.
In Saudi Arabia, renowned astronomer Mulham Hindi took to his X account (formerly Twitter) to clarify the situation, stating, "Those who say Eid is on Sunday and those who say Eid is on Monday are both right. It depends on the Islamic countries, as countries differ in the Eid al-Fitr date. Saudi Arabia, the Gulf countries, the Levant, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, and Turkey celebrate it on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Asia, Iran, Oman, Jordan, and Morocco celebrate it on Monday, March 31, 2025." His comments highlight the variations in moon sighting traditions across the Islamic world.
Meanwhile, Kuwaiti astronomer Adel Al-Saadoun has expressed his expectation that Eid al-Fitr will indeed fall on Sunday, March 30, 2025. This aligns with the predictions of the International Astronomy Center, which issued a detailed statement outlining their findings regarding the crescent moon's visibility.
The center explained that for countries requiring visual confirmation of the moon, Ramadan is expected to last for 30 days, leading to Eid al-Fitr being celebrated on Monday, March 31. However, due to the conditions anticipated on Saturday, March 29, 2025, where the moon is expected to set after sunset, some countries may announce the commencement of Shawwal on Sunday.
In their detailed report, the International Astronomy Center noted, "Seeing the crescent on Saturday, March 29, 2025, is not possible even with the latest scientific technologies in tracking crescents, such as astronomical imaging using CCD cameras. The moon will lag behind the sun by between 1.5 degrees in areas east of the Arab world to about three degrees at sunset, which does not allow for visibility of the crescent. Historically, the crescent cannot be seen with the naked eye when it is less than 7.6 degrees from the sun, and telescopes have not proven effective at less than 6.0 degrees."
Adding to the complexity, a partial solar eclipse will occur on Saturday, March 29, which will be visible from parts of the Arab world, including Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. This phenomenon serves as a natural indicator that the crescent will not be visible at that time, reinforcing the scientific consensus that any claims of sighting the moon on that day should be treated with skepticism.
In Egypt, citizens are eagerly awaiting official announcements regarding the Eid al-Fitr holidays. The government has declared that for public sector workers, the holiday will commence on Saturday, March 29, 2025, and last until Tuesday, April 1, 2025. This closure will apply to all ministries, government agencies, public bodies, and local administration units, in addition to companies in the public and business sectors.
Should the crescent be sighted on the evening of March 29, extending the holiday to include Wednesday, April 2, 2025, will be considered, depending on the official moon sighting results. The Minister of Labor has confirmed that private sector employees will also receive paid leave from Saturday, March 29, until Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
As the holiday approaches, the excitement builds, with preparations underway for the celebrations. A key aspect of the Eid festivities is the prayer, which is performed on the morning of Eid. In Cairo and major governorates, the prayer times have been announced: Cairo at 6:13 AM, Giza at 6:12 AM, and Alexandria at 6:16 AM. The first city to perform the Eid prayer will be Halayeb at 5:53 AM, while El Salloum will be the last at 6:35 AM.
In addition to Eid al-Fitr, another significant change is on the horizon for the region: the start of daylight saving time in Palestine. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Palestine has announced that daylight saving time will begin at 2 AM on Saturday, April 12, 2025, when clocks will be set forward by one hour. However, Israel and the Palestinian territories will begin daylight saving time earlier, starting from 2 AM on Friday, March 28, 2025.
To avoid confusion due to this discrepancy, the Ministries of Communications and Digital Economy have urged citizens to manually adjust their mobile devices and electronic equipment to ensure they are set to the correct time zone for Palestine. Adjusting settings involves accessing the device's settings, selecting date and time, and turning off the automatic time zone option.
Daylight saving time is implemented to conserve energy and maximize daylight during summer months. By advancing the clock, the evening light is extended, which reduces reliance on artificial lighting and contributes to lower energy consumption.
As citizens prepare for Eid al-Fitr and the onset of daylight saving time, they are encouraged to adjust their schedules gradually to accommodate the upcoming changes. Being mindful of time adjustments will help ensure a smooth transition into these significant events.
In summary, the celebrations for Eid al-Fitr in 2025 are poised to be marked by variations in observance across different countries, with the possibility of two different dates for the holiday. Meanwhile, the start of daylight saving time in Palestine adds another layer of complexity for residents as they navigate these changes. As the dates draw nearer, official confirmations and preparations will play a crucial role in shaping the experiences of millions across the region.
