Eid Al Fitr 2025: Shawwal Crescent Moon Sighting Across The World

Gulf Insider

29-03-2025

Islamic countries worldwide are preparing to sight the crescent moon for Shawwal, marking the end of Ramadan. The first day of Ramadan is determined by competent authorities based on moon sightings in each country. The sighting of the Shawwal crescent will officially signal the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid Al Fitr. Follow the updates to find out the official date of Eid Al Fitr in countries around the world:
Saudi Arabia announced that Sunday, March 30, will mark the first day of Eid Al Fitr.
Oman has officially announced Eid Al Fitr will be on Monday. This follows sunset marking the 28th day of Ramadan, with the crescent moon predicted to be visible to the naked eye tomorrow, Sunday.
Iran has officially announced Eid Al Fitr will be on Monday. This follows sunset marking the 28th day of Ramadan, with the crescent moon predicted to be visible to the naked eye tomorrow, Sunday.
Ten astronomical observatories across Saudi Arabia are actively monitoring the Shawwal crescent to determine the start of Eid Al Fitr. Experts estimate the crescent will be visible for just 7–8 minutes, making swift confirmation crucial.
At the Tumair observatory, sunset is at 6:11 PM, with the moon setting eight minutes later. Favorable conditions, including clear skies and a temperature of 32°C, improve the chances of confirming the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid.
In various regions across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 10 astronomical observatories are involved in the sighting of the Eid al-Fitr crescent moon. pic.twitter.com/uZ3KYc1TN3 — 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@HaramainInfo) March 29, 2025
Pakistan has officially announced Eid Al Fitr will be observed on Monday. Today, the 28th day of Ramadan, concludes with sunset. The crescent moon is expected to be sighted by the naked eye tomorrow, Sunday.
باكستان: الاثنين 31 مارس يوم عيد الفطر السعيد.غربت الشمس الآن في باكستان ومن المتوقع أن عيد الفطر فيها سيكون يوم الاثنين نظرا لأن اليوم هو 28 رمضان فيها، وستكون رؤية الهلال يوم غد الأحد ممكنة فيها بالعين المجردة. pic.twitter.com/mfem9wp5hN — مركز الفلك الدولي (@AstronomyCenter) March 29, 2025
India has confirmed Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Monday. As today marks the 28th day of Ramadan, the Shawwal crescent is expected to be visible to the naked eye tomorrow, Sunday.
الهند: الاثنين 31 مارس يوم عيد الفطر السعيد.غربت الشمس الآن في الهند ومن المتوقع أن عيد الفطر فيها سيكون يوم الاثنين نظرا لأن اليوم هو 28 رمضان فيها، وستكون رؤية الهلال يوم غد الأحد ممكنة فيها بالعين المجردة. pic.twitter.com/eQGBrLs2Nq — مركز الفلك الدولي (@AstronomyCenter) March 29, 2025
Bangladesh has officially declared Monday, March 31, as Eid Al Fitr. With the sun set marking the 28th day of Ramadan, the crescent moon is expected to be visible to the naked eye tomorrow, Sunday.
بنغلادش: الاثنين 31 مارس يوم عيد الفطر السعيد.غربت الشمس الآن في بنغلادش ومن المتوقع أن عيد الفطر فيها سيكون يوم الاثنين نظرا لأن اليوم هو 28 رمضان فيها، وستكون رؤية الهلال يوم غد الأحد ممكنة فيها بالعين المجردة. pic.twitter.com/FDLCu14q2d — مركز الفلك الدولي (@AstronomyCenter) March 29, 2025
Indonesia has officially announced that Eid Al Fitr will be observed on Monday, March 31, following the failure to sight the Shawwal crescent moon on Saturday.
The International Astronomy Center announced that on March 29, a partial solar eclipse — covering up to 94 per cent of the sun — occurred at 10:47 GMT (2:47 PM local time). The event was visible from parts of the western Arab world.
Malaysia has officially proclaimed that Eid Al Fitr will be observed on Monday, March 31. As the sun sets on the 28th day of Ramadan, it is anticipated that the crescent moon will be visible to the naked eye on Sunday.
Brunei has officially confirmed that Eid Al Fitr will be observed on Monday, March 31. Although Eid falls on Monday, Ramadan in Brunei will last 29 days, as today marks the 28th day of the holy month, with fasting having begun on March 2. The crescent moon is expected to be visible to the naked eye tomorrow, Sunday, signaling the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid celebrations.
بروناي: الاثنين 31 مارس يوم عيد الفطر السعيدغربت الشمس الآن في بروناي وعيد الفطر فيها سيكون يوم الاثنين نظرا لأن اليوم هو 28 رمضان فيها، وستكون رؤية الهلال يوم غد الأحد ممكنة فيها بالعين المجردة. pic.twitter.com/dU7pMOpZ7q — مركز الفلك الدولي (@AstronomyCenter) March 29, 2025
The International Astronomy Centre has confirmed that sighting the Shawwal crescent moon on Saturday, March 29, will be impossible across the Arab and Islamic world. Since the moon will set before the sun and conjunction will occur after sunset, moon sighting on that evening will not be feasible.
In an exclusive statement to Gulf News, Emirati astronomer and Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, as well as a member of the Arab Union for Space and Astronomy, Ibrahim Al-Jarwan, revealed that precise astronomical calculations indicate the impossibility of sighting the Shawwal crescent after sunset on March 29, 2025 (corresponding to 29 Ramadan 1446 AH).
Based on these calculations, the Emirates Astronomy Society anticipates that Ramadan will complete 30 days, with Sunday, March 30, marking the last day of the holy month. Consequently, Eid Al Fitr is expected to fall on Monday, March 31.
As a result, in countries that require an actual sighting to confirm the start of Shawwal, Ramadan will likely last 30 days, making Eid Al Fitr fall on Monday, March 31. However, in regions where the conjunction occurs before sunset, some countries may opt to declare Eid on Sunday, March 30, based on traditional moon-sighting practices.
The Shawwal Crescent Sighting Committee 1446 AH will convene on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Abu Dhabi's historic Al Hosn site. The meeting, chaired by His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah and Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Darei, will include experts in Shariah, astronomy, and law to oversee the crescent sighting process.
Five state-of-the-art observatories across the UAE—Al Khatim, Jabal Hafeet, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah—are equipped with advanced technology to ensure precise observations. Strategic collaborations with national astronomical centers further strengthen the UAE's leadership in this field.
The Shawwal Crescent Sighting Committee, part of @fatwauae, will observe the crescent on Saturday evening, 29 March 2025 (29 Ramadan 1446 AH), at Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi, using five AI-powered observatories and drones to document the sighting with the highest global standards. pic.twitter.com/085o24xch8 — مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) March 28, 2025
The committee invites the public, particularly traditional moon sighters (al-Shuwayfah), to participate in the sighting after sunset on the 29th of Ramadan and report their findings through official channels.
For the second year, drones with high-precision lenses will be deployed from Al Khatim Observatory to enhance accuracy. AI-driven technologies will analyse images and data for precise detection. Media coverage will document the event, highlighting the UAE's role in advancing crescent sighting methods.
The Australian Fatwa Council has announced that Monday, March 31, 2025, will be the first day of Eid Al Fitr in Australia, based on astronomical data and moon sighting conditions for Shawwal 1446 AH.
After consulting astronomical observatories and scientific institutions specializing in crescent sighting, the council confirmed that the Shawwal crescent will be born on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 9:57 PM Sydney time (AEST) and 6:57 PM Perth time (AWST)—both occurring after sunset. Since the new moon will not be visible before sunset, Shawwal cannot begin on that day.
As a result, Ramadan will complete 30 days, with Sunday, March 30, 2025, marking the last day of the holy month.
The Grand Mufti of Australia and the Australian Fatwa Council determined the end of Ramadan and the start of Shawwal based on: The calculated birth of the moon before sunset.
The duration of the moonset after sunset.
The possibility of sighting the moon.
This method aligns with those adopted by many prominent global scholarly councils. While acknowledging differing opinions among scholars and Imams, the Australian National Imams Council and the Australian Fatwa Council urge the Muslim community to respect these differences and work towards unity, preserving shared values and interests.
🌙 𝐄𝐈𝐃 𝐀𝐥-𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟏𝟒𝟒𝟔𝐀𝐇 – 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad.We thank Allah (SWT) for giving us the ability to fast in the Month of Ramadan, the ability to worship… pic.twitter.com/RLrm83FF6I — Australian National Imams Council (@ImamsCouncil) March 24, 2025
The Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohamad, along with the member Imams of the Australian National Imams Council, extend their warmest Eid Al Fitr greetings to the Muslim community. They also urge Muslims to remember their brothers and sisters in Gaza, Palestine, in their prayers, charitable donations, and ongoing support.
As Ramadan draws to a close, the UAE is gearing up to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, one of the most important events in the Islamic calendar. Early morning prayers will be held at hundreds of mosques and open prayer grounds across the country.
On Saturday evening, the UAE's moon-sighting committee will gather after Maghrib prayers to determine whether the Shawwal crescent has been sighted. Their decision will confirm whether Eid will begin on Sunday, March 30, or Monday, March 31, 2025.
Eid Al Fitr prayers, marking the start of the celebrations, will take place across all seven emirates.
(Timings remain unchanged for both potential Eid days — March 30 or 31) Abu Dhabi : 6:22 AM
: 6:22 AM Al Ain : 6:23 AM
: 6:23 AM Dubai : 6:20 AM
: 6:20 AM Sharjah : 6:19 AM
: 6:19 AM Ajman : 6:19 AM
: 6:19 AM Umm Al Quwain : 6:18 AM
: 6:18 AM Ras Al Khaimah : 6:17 AM
: 6:17 AM Fujairah : 6:15 AM
: 6:15 AM Khorfakkan: 6:16 AM
Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court and the UAE's Fatwa Council have called on Muslims to observe the Shawwal crescent moon on Saturday, March 29, 2025, marking the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid Al Fitr.
Authorities have asked anyone who spots the crescent—whether with the naked eye or binoculars—to report the sighting to the nearest court or committee. Individuals with the ability to sight the moon are encouraged to join regional efforts to assist with confirmation.