Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Scientists and Western astronomers say Shawwal moon is invisible but Saudi Arabia declares crescent sighted.
However, the method of determining the start of Shawwal can vary where while some countries rely on physical moon sighting, others follow astronomical calculations to predict its arrival. This difference sometimes results in slight variations in Eid dates across different regions, adding a layer of cultural diversity to the occasion.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar widely followed in the West, the Islamic calendar is lunar-based. This means that Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr shift by approximately 10-11 days each year, as lunar months are shorter than solar months hence, the sighting of the crescent moon can differ from country to country, making the anticipation of Eid an annual thrill for Muslim communities worldwide.
For 720 hours—equivalent to four weeks and two days—Muslims observe Ramadan by fasting from dawn until sunset. This period is dedicated to deep spiritual reflection, charity (zakaat) and humanitarian efforts such as feeding the underprivileged.
The end of Ramadan is marked by Laylatul Qadr, or the Night of Power, a sacred night believed to be when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Expected to fall on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th night of Ramadan, it is a time of intense prayers and devotion in the run-up to Eid-ul-Fitr.
Eid-ul-Fitr, often referred to as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is a time of immense joy where families gather for grand feasts, new clothes are worn, gifts are exchanged and prayers are offered in congregation. The day begins with a special Eid prayer at mosques or open fields, followed by a day of festive meals and acts of kindness.
As the world prepares to welcome Eid 2025, the moon sighting remains a powerful symbol of unity, faith and cultural heritage. Whether observed through the lens of a telescope or the naked eye, the appearance of the crescent moon signals not just the end of fasting but the beginning of celebrations filled with love and gratitude. Stay tuned to catch the latest moon sighting updates here!
Follow all the updates here:
Mar 29, 2025 10:08 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Bahrain and Kuwait have officially announced that Sunday, March 30, 2025, will be the first day of Shawwal, marking the celebrations of Eid Al-Fitr, with Saturday, March 29 marking the last day of Ramadan 2025.
Mar 29, 2025 10:01 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs in Oman said Monday, March 31, 2025, would be the first day of Eid ul Fitr. The Times of Oman reported that the moonsighting committee convened on Saturday, March 29, but no verified crescent moon sightings were reported. This means Ramadan goes on for one more day before the Eid festivities can begin on Monday.
Mar 29, 2025 9:58 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: The UAE’s Moon-sighting Committee announced that Sunday, March 30, 2025, will be the first day of Eid-ul-Fitr and that today, Saturday, March 29, is the last day of Ramadan.
Mar 29, 2025 8:49 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Saudi authorities declare that the crescent moon for the month of Shawwal 1446 was sighted in Saudi Arabia tonight i.e. Saturday March 29, 2025 hence, tomorrow is the beginning of the month of Shawwal 1446 and the first day of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.
Mar 29, 2025 8:43 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Eid ul Fitr 2025 holidays were declared in Trinidad and Tobago or so a post on X claimed, sharing a press release issued by the president, which stated that Sunday, March 30, would be the holiday date for Eid ul Fitr 2025. The following two days, March 31 and April 1, will also be public holidays, the first one for Eid and the second one for Shouter Baptist Liberation Day. No mention was made of moonsightings, just the public holidays. Astronomical data indicates the moon won’t be visible anywhere in the Caribbean today, so it is not clear what was the basis for the Eid decisions.
Mar 29, 2025 8:34 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Pakistan’s national space agency, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), said that the new moon of Shawwal (the next month after Ramadan and the starting point for Eid) will be born at 3.58pm on March 29. By sunset on March 30, when Pakistan moonsightings will take place, the moon will be 27 hours old so its first slim crescent should be visible. SUPARCO therefore expects that Ramadan will run for 29 days this year in Pakistan, and Eid ul Fitr 2025 will be observed on March 31.
Mar 29, 2025 8:30 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Masjid Bilal (Muslim Society Of Jersey Shore) in USA’s New Jersey announced the Eid dates for its local congregation and posted “Eid is Sunday, March 30, 2025”. It gave the timings of local prayers where for the celebrations, it is offering free food, goody bags and children’s activities.
Mar 29, 2025 8:26 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Officials in Saudi Arabia are divided over the date for Eid ul Fitr 2025, according to reports. Some astronomers believe Eid ul Fitr will be on Sunday but others say it will be Monday. Opinions that say Eid is on Sunday: Al-Ojairi Astronomical Center, Abdullah Al-Misnad, Abdullah Al-Asimi, Adel Al-Saadoun, Abdullah Al-Khudairi. Opinions that say Eid is on Monday: Astronomer Badr Al-Omira, Abdullah Al-Jazaa, International Astronomy Center.
Mar 29, 2025 8:04 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: A statement by The UK-based New Crescent Society read, “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. For local sighters [in the UK], it’s quite straightforward. Our 29[th day of] Ramadan will be on Sunday 30 March. The moon will be easily visible in the UK. This means Eid will be on Monday 31 March. This will incidentally be the same date for mosques which follow Morocco / South Africa. For mosques who follow Saudi, things are very controversial. On Saturday, March 29, Saudi will officially look for the moon. On this date, 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.”
The statement added, “In fact, during the daytime that day, there will be an eclipse. It is commonly known that you cannot see a new crescent a few hours after an eclipse. There is a slight chance that they won’t claim to see it, and Saudi declare Eid for Monday. Some news reports even suggest this. This would mean a united Eid in the UK, but we think this unlikely. To Saudi’s credit, their scholars have always publicly stated that other countries should not follow Saudi.”
The New Crescent Society further stated, “Whether you do Eid on Sunday, March 30, or will be fasting – it is still a wonderful opportunity to conduct the sunnah of Moonsighting and see the Eid moon with your own eyes. On Sunday evening, why not go out, enjoy iftar or Eid dinner outdoors, and sight the moon with your friends and family. It’s a beautiful sight.”
Mar 29, 2025 7:44 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: The Shawwal Crescent Sighting Committee, part of the UAE Council for Fatwa, will observe the crescent on Saturday evening, 29 March 2025 (corresponding to 29 Ramadan 1446 AH), at Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi, using five AI-powered observatories and drones to document the sighting of the Shawwal moon for Eid-ul-Fitr 2025 with the highest global standards.
Mar 29, 2025 7:34 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Shawwal crescent sighting predictions:
- At Tumair observatory in Saudi Arabia, the weather conditions are favourable to sight the Shawwal crescent. Astronomer Muteb Al-Barghash said, “The sun will set at the Tumair observatory site at 6:11 PM, and the crescent moon will set 8 minutes after that. The skies are mostly clear with some scattered clouds.”
- At the Taif observatory, the sky is partially cloudy, with a possibility of sighting the Shawwal Crescent.
- On the other hand, at the Hotat Sudair observatory, the skies are currently clear and sighting the Shawwal Crescent is possible.
- Crescent observer Abdullah Al-Khudairi said, “The skies are perfectly clear for sighting the Shawwal Crescent, and we are taking our positions to begin the observation process. There are no difficulties today.”
- 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.
Mar 29, 2025 7:16 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Check out the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer timings below for UAE. The timings reportedly remain unchanged for both potential Eid days — March 30 or 31.
- Abu Dhabi: 6:22 AM
- Al Ain: 6:23 AM
- Dubai: 6:20 AM
- Sharjah: 6:19 AM
- Ajman: 6:19 AM
- Umm Al Quwain: 6:18 AM
- Ras Al Khaimah: 6:17 AM
- Fujairah: 6:15 AM
- Khorfakkan: 6:16 AM
Mar 29, 2025 7:05 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: The Shawwal crescent will be searched in over 20 observatories in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Supreme Court’s Crescent Committee will be seated around 5:30 pm KSA time, to begin deliberations on potential leads from observatories.
Mar 29, 2025 6:39 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Indonesian moon sighting authorities announce failure in sighting the Shawwal crescent moon on Saturday. Eid Al Fitr will be observed on Monday, March 31, 2025.
Mar 29, 2025 6:01 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Bangladesh officially declares Monday, March 31, as the first day of Eid-ul-Fitr 2025.
Mar 29, 2025 5:31 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Malaysia officially declares Monday, March 31, as first day of Eid-ul-Fitr 2025.
Mar 29, 2025 5:12 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Brunei has officially confirmed that Eid Al Fitr will be observed on Monday, March 31.
Mar 29, 2025 4:40 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: The Grand Mufti of Australia and the Australian Fatwa Council has announced that Ramadan 2025 will complete 30 days, with Sunday, March 30, 2025, marking the last day of the holy month. 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.
Mar 29, 2025 4:15 PM IST
Eid 2025 crescent moon sighting LIVE: The International Astronomy Centre has confirmed that the Shawwal crescent moon will be impossible to sight across the Arab and Islamic world on Saturday, March 29, 2025. The moon will reportedly set before the sun and conjunction will occur after sunset hence, Eid-ul-Fitr 2025 moon sighting on that evening will not be feasible.
As a result, Ramadan 2025 is anticipated to complete 30 days, with Sunday, March 30, marking the last day of the holy month while Eid-ul-Fitr 2025 is expected to fall on Monday, March 31. However, in countries where the conjunction occurs before sunset, those regions may opt to declare Eid-ul-Fitr on Sunday, March 30, based on traditional moon-sighting practices.
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, told Gulf News that precise astronomical calculations indicate the impossibility of sighting the Shawwal crescent after sunset on March 29, 2025, corresponding to 29 Ramadan 1446 AH.
Mar 29, 2025 4:04 PM IST
Eid 2025 moon sighting LIVE: Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court and the UAE’s Fatwa Council call on Muslims to observe the Shawwal crescent moon on Saturday, March 29, 2025, to mark 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.