29-03-2025
Eid ul Fitr 2025 announced in Saudi Arabia after 'crescent moon sighted'
Saudi Arabia has announced the date for Eid ul Fitr 2025 after attempts to sight the moon took place at 10 astronomical observatories on Saturday, March 29.
Officials said: "The crescent moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia. #EidAlFitr will be celebrated on Sunday, 30th March 2025."
This means that Ramadan will end tonight for Saudi citizens and the next month of Shawwal begins, marked by the Eid festivities that celebrate the end of daily fasting.
The neighbouring United Arab Emirates also declared Eid as March 30, but in adjoining Oman, the crescent was not sighted so Eid won't get underway there until Monday, March 31.
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A local TV reporter in Saudi Arabia had earlier said there was only a limited chance to see the moon, explaining: "Many crescent observers expect the Shawwal crescent to remain visible on the horizon for 7 to 8 minutes - a brief window to confirm its presence. Its sighting depends on the clarity of the skies."
One Saudi moonsighting observer, Abdullah Al-Khudairi, told the media: "The disagreement over the possibility of sighting the Shawwal crescent today is not among academic experts, but rather among amateur observers. The sighting today depends on the clarity of the sky.
"The skies are perfectly clear for sighting the Shawwal crescent. There are no difficulties today."
This was in spite of data from astronomers indicating that the moon would not be visible in most parts of the world on Saturday.
However, Saudi Arabia had already marked Sunday as the start of Eid, and many believed it would declare a sighting that matched its predetermined national calendar of dates.
The New Crescent Society had predicted a surprise sighting seemed likely, saying: "It looks like we are heading into another split Eid this year, though we will know for sure this weekend. This year is very controversial, as the split is likely to be caused by an 'impossible' moonsighting in Saudi. Of course, these are simply predictions.
"On Saturday, March 29.... the moon is not scientifically possible to see anywhere in Saudi, the Middle East, Asia, Africa or Europe, even with telescopes.
"Despite this, it is likely Saudi will produce a scientifically 'impossible' moonsighting. These phantom moon sightings are almost annual occurrences and seem to align with their preprinted Umm al Qura calendar - a calendar which does not match lunar visibility."
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