As the holy month of Ramadan comes to a close, various countries across the Arab world have announced their official dates for Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of fasting. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with Qatar and several other nations, has declared that Sunday, March 30, 2025, will be the first day of Eid al-Fitr following the sighting of the crescent moon of Shawwal.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (WAS), the Supreme Court convened on Saturday, March 29, 2025, to observe the crescent moon sighting for the year 1446 AH. Based on the testimonies of several credible witnesses, the court confirmed that Sunday, March 30, 2025, will indeed be the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
The Moon Sighting Committee in Qatar's Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs also announced that Sunday is the first day of Eid al-Fitr, as stated in a release following their meeting at the ministry on Saturday evening.
In the United Arab Emirates, the announcement echoed similar sentiments, with the official news agency reporting that the crescent moon of Shawwal was sighted, confirming Sunday as the first day of Eid.
Kuwait's Sharia sighting authority confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon as well, declaring that Sunday marks the beginning of the blessed Eid al-Fitr. Bahrain’s Sharia sighting authority made the same announcement, affirming that Sunday is the first day of Eid.
Yemen's Ministry of Endowments and Guidance also stated that Sunday will be the first day of Eid al-Fitr, following the sighting of the crescent moon. Meanwhile, Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories, announced that Sunday, March 30, 2025, is the first day of Eid al-Fitr, as reported by the Wafa agency.
In Lebanon, Dar Al-Fatwa confirmed that Sunday, March 30, 2025, will be the first day of Eid al-Fitr, according to the official news agency. The Islamic Fiqh Council also released a statement declaring Sunday as the first day of Eid.
Additionally, Djibouti and several African nations, including Ethiopia, have announced that Sunday will be the first day of Eid al-Fitr this year.
However, not all countries have aligned their Eid celebrations with Saudi Arabia and its neighboring countries. Egypt's Dar Al-Iftaa announced on the same day that the crescent moon of Shawwal was not sighted, meaning that Monday, March 31, 2025, will be the first day of Eid al-Fitr in Egypt. The Iftaa clarified that Sunday, March 30, 2025, will complete the blessed month of Ramadan.
In Syria, the first Sharia judge in Damascus stated that Sunday will complete the month of Ramadan, with Monday being the first day of Eid al-Fitr. This announcement was reported by the official news agency.
Similarly, the official Jordanian News Agency (Petra) confirmed that Sunday marks the end of Ramadan, with Monday designated as the first day of Eid al-Fitr in the Kingdom.
In Iraq, the Sunni Endowment Office announced that Monday will be the first day of Eid al-Fitr. The office of the Supreme Religious Authority, Ali al-Sistani, also confirmed that Sunday will complete the month of Ramadan, with Monday as the first day of Eid.
In Iraqi Kurdistan, the Minister of Religious Endowments, Pishtiwan Sadiq, stated that the Moon Sighting Committee confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon, marking Sunday as the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
In Oman, the official news agency reported that the Moon Sighting Committee confirmed that Sunday will be the completion of Ramadan, with Monday marking the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
Tunisia's Mufti, Hisham bin Mahmoud, also announced that Sunday will complete Ramadan, making Monday the first day of Eid al-Fitr and the first of the month of Shawwal.
In Libya, Dar al-Iftaa confirmed that Sunday will complete Ramadan, and Monday will be the day of Eid al-Fitr for this year, as the crescent moon was not sighted in various observatories across the country.
Algeria's Crescent Moon Sighting Committee announced that Sunday will complete Ramadan, with Monday being the first day of Eid al-Fitr due to the inability to sight the crescent moon, as reported by the official television.
Morocco is still awaiting the crescent moon sighting of Shawwal, which is expected to take place on Sunday, March 30, 2025, corresponding to the 29th of Ramadan.
Countries such as Mauritania, Somalia, and the Comoros have yet to make an official announcement regarding the date of Eid al-Fitr for this year.
This divergence in the celebration of Eid al-Fitr highlights the varying practices and interpretations of moon sighting across the Islamic world, reflecting a rich tapestry of cultural and religious observances.
