As Ramadan 2025 nears its end, the anticipation for Eid Al-Fitr is sky-high. But before the Eid Al-Fitr celebrations begin, there’s one crucial step—spotting the elusive Shawwal crescent moon. Authorities in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain have put out an open call for moon watchers.
Mark Your Calendars for Moon Sighting
On Saturday, March 29, 2025 (Ramadan 29, 1446 AH), specialists, experts, and members of the public are encouraged to scan the skies for the crescent moon. Its appearance signals the official end of Ramadan and the joyous start of Eid Al-Fitr. The UAE Council for Fatwa has urged citizens and residents alike to participate in the observation. The sighting process isn’t just limited to astronomers; any keen-eyed observer can contribute by reporting their sighting to the relevant authorities.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has issued a nationwide request for moon sighting. Anyone who spots the crescent, whether with the naked eye or through binoculars, should report to the nearest court to register their testimony. The Kingdom takes this matter seriously, ensuring that the new month begins with clarity and consensus.
Qatar and Bahrain Join the Lunar Vigil
Qatar’s Crescent Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs has also called on Muslims across the country to take part in the observation. If you’re lucky enough to spot the crescent, the committee welcomes you to their headquarters in Al Dafna (Towers) area to provide testimony. They will convene immediately after the Maghrib prayer to verify the reports.
Bahrain isn’t sitting this one out either. The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has announced that their Moon Sighting Committee will gather on the same evening to review testimonies and confirm the start of Eid. With all these efforts combined, the region ensures a unified and well-documented declaration of Eid.
Why the Moon Sighting Matters
The tradition of moon sighting isn’t just a ritual; it’s a significant Islamic practice that determines the start of major religious occasions. While modern astronomy provides precise lunar calendars, the act of physically witnessing the crescent holds deep spiritual value. It unites communities and keeps alive an age-old tradition passed down for generations.
Get Ready for Eid!
If the moon plays hard to get? No worries, Eid will arrive the next day regardless! Happy moon hunting!
In a related announcement, the International Astronomical Center confirmed that the crescent moon marking the end of Ramadan was spotted in Abu Dhabi. The image was captured by the Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory on Friday, March 28, 2025, at 12:00 PM UAE time, showing that the moon’s distance from the sun was 16 degrees. “There is no relationship between the shape of the crescent moon in this image and the possibility of seeing it tomorrow,” stated the center.
This year, Eid al-Fitr is expected to take place either on Sunday, March 30, or Monday, March 31, depending on the sighting of the moon. Most countries around the world will observe the Shawwal crescent moon on Saturday, March 29, to mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr 2025. However, the International Astronomical Center noted that “sighting the crescent moon on that day is impossible from the eastern part of the world, and it is not possible from the rest of the Arab and Islamic world using all observation methods, including the naked eye, telescopes, and astronomical photography technology.”
In the UAE, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) has already announced that Sunday, March 30, 2025, to Tuesday, April 1, 2025, will be a paid holiday for all private-sector employees across the country on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr 2025. The Ministry added that if the month of Ramadan concludes on the 30th day, the holiday will be extended to Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
Moon sighting committees will meet Saturday evening, March 29, 2025, to announce the start of Eid. The crescent moon marking the final days of Ramadan was photographed earlier on Friday from Abu Dhabi. The image, captured at noon local time by the Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory, shows the hilal (crescent) of the end of Ramadan at a solar elongation of 16 degrees. The center emphasized that the crescent’s appearance in this image has no bearing on whether the moon will be visible to the naked eye tomorrow, Saturday, or on the official announcement of Eid Al Fitr.
Eid al-Fitr Dates Across Regions
Eid al-Fitr is observed on the first three days of Shawwal, which is the 10th month of the Hijri, or the Islamic lunar calendar. In 2025, Ramadan commenced on Sunday, March 2, in India, following the sighting of the crescent moon on March 1, while in the Gulf countries, it began a day earlier, on Saturday, March 1.
South Asian countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh usually begin Ramadan a day later than the Middle East. Therefore, Eid al-Fitr 2025 in these countries is expected to fall on Monday, March 31, given that the crescent moon is seen on Saturday, March 30. If it is seen on March 31, consequently, Eid will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 1.
In Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, Eid is expected to be celebrated on March 30, 2025, if the crescent moon is observed on March 29. Otherwise, it will be on March 31, 2025.
As the festival of Eid ul-Fitr is fast approaching, communities across the region are gearing up for the celebrations, eagerly awaiting the sighting of the moon that will usher in a period of joy and festivity.
