Eid-ul-Fitr 2025 in Saudi Arabia: Last week of Ramadan, when the atmosphere keeps Muslims looking forward to the delightful event of celebrating the completion of a month-long fast from the dawn till dusk.
Ramadan, which is considered one of the holiest occasions for the Muslims, started in India on Sunday, March 2, after the sighting of a new crescent moon on Saturday, March 1. One day earlier, this fast month began in Saudi Arabia-Dhahran on March 1.
Since Ramzan started on March 2 in India, it is expected that Eid-ul-Fitr will be either on March 31 or on April 1, depending on the crescent moon sighting, which heralds the opening of the Islamic month Shawwal.
Date of Eid-ul-Fitr can only be confirmed after the crescent moon has been sighted:
Crescent moon visibility on March 30 after Maghrib (evening) prayer shall mean Eid will take place on March 31.
If it is unseen on March 30, Eid will occur on April 1.
In Saudi Arabia, same procedure takes place.
If the moon is spotted on March 29 EID will be on March 30.
If not, Eid will be on March 31.
Why is Moon Sighting Important for Eid?
The moon governs the Islamic calendar and the sight of the new crescent always begins the Hijri month. Eid-ul-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar. As lunar months can be either 29 or 30 days in length, the date of Eid can vary each year due to differing moon sighting determination by religious authorities.
Significance of Eid-ul-Fitr
Eid-ul-Fitr means “festival of breaking the fast”. It marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. It has become a time gift-giving, charity, and congregation in the community.
Approximately 70 days after Eid-ul-Fitr, Muslims observe Eid-ul-Adha, or “Feast of Sacrifice”, marking the end of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
Eid-ul-Fitr 2025: Moon sighting dates for India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and UAE
South Asian nations such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh will try to sight the crescent on March 30, 2025, corresponding to the 29th day of Ramadan 1446 AH. This date will be traditionally when these countries begin Ramadan a day later than Muslims in the Middle East and Western countries.
If visible on the evening of March 30, after maghrib prayers, in these South Asian countries, Eid will fall on March 31. Otherwise, Ramadan will be on 30 days and Eid will fall on April 1, 2025.
Eid-ul-Fitr would be celebrated by Muslim communities across Saudi Arabia and other countries like the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Turkey, and other countries in Western and Middle Eastern parts of the world. Saudi Arabia’s Ramadan commencement was March 1. Thus, Eid-ul-Fitr would, thus, either be on March 30 or March 31, depending on how the crescent moon sighted the previous day.
The public sector holiday dates have been officially announced in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It would move to Wednesday, April 2, if Ramadan ran for thirty-one days. On March 29, the Moon Sighting Committee of the UAE will begin monitoring the crescent.
According to the ministry, Eid holidays will fall on the 30th, 31st and 1st of April in a situation where the crescent is visible that evening, meaning a four-day break would be awarded as per the Gregorian calendar.
The governments all over the world declared special holidays for Eid, allowing family reunions and large galas to celebrate the occasion.
Saudi Arabia declared four the days between March 30 to April 2, with work resuming the following day, April 3. Private sector workers should get additional time, enjoying almost a six-day holiday, should these days coincide with Friday and Saturday.
The UAE has confirmed a public holiday from 1 to 3 Shawwal, with 4 being a public holiday if Ramadan lasts for 30 days.
Kuwait has given its citizens a rather flexible option: three days of leave if Eid falls on 30 March, while a nine-day vacation is granted should Eid fall on 31 March.
Other GCC countries, like Qatar and Bahrain, have declared Eid holidays of three to six days.
Eid al-Fitr is a time of celebration, very spiritually important; the end of the month of fasting, prayer, and self-discipline, when families gather to partake of copious feasts, wear their finest clothes, and grace the mosques with their presence to fulfill duty Eid prayers. One of the basic tenets of Eid is the giving of Zakat-a-Фitr, an act of charity that ensures the poor can partake in such grand celebrations.
Homes reverberate with humanity, warmth, and hospitality, as relatives and friends exchange Eidi-gifts and money-brag about their delectable dishes, and contemplate over the lessons of Ramadan. Food is put central, whether sheer khurma in South Asia or maamoul pastries in the Middle East, as the preparation and consumption of those dishes only heighten the joy and bonding.
So, let us welcome the spirit of Eid in our open hearts as the moon rises and the celebrations commence, with everyone spreading joy, love, and kindness. Eid Mubarak!
Eid 2025: What does the crescent represent?
It is the lunar cycle that determines the absolute date of the occurrence of Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid-ul-Fitr would be happening on March 31 if the moon becomes visible on March 30. If the moon becomes visible on March 31, the festival would be on April 1.
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