Saudi Arabia has officially declared Sunday, March 30, 2025, as the first day of Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of the month of Shawwal.
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The announcement was made after the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia confirmed that the Shawwal crescent moon had been sighted on the evening of Saturday, March 29, following official observations by designated moon-sighting committees in different parts of the kingdom.
 ÂWith this declaration, millions of Muslims across Saudi Arabia are preparing for Eid prayers, family gatherings, and festive celebrations, which traditionally include special meals, charitable giving, and communal activities.
 ÂShortly after Saudi Arabia’s confirmation, other Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, also announced that Eid-ul-Fitr would be observed on Sunday, March 30. Religious authorities in these countries verified the moon sighting and released official Eid prayer timings for worshippers across mosques in major cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha.
 ÂIn contrast, some countries, including India, Oman, and Iran, reported that the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted on March 29. As a result, these nations will complete a full 30 days of Ramadan, and their Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations will take place on Monday, March 31.
 ÂIslamic scholars in India emphasized that the decision aligns with traditional lunar calculations, ensuring strict adherence to Islamic teachings that require a confirmed crescent moon sighting before declaring Eid. The official announcement was made by various moon sighting committees across Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Jammu & Kashmir.
 ÂSimilarly, other nations such as Bangladesh and Indonesia have confirmed that Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on March 31, citing the absence of a visible crescent moon on the night of March 29. Religious bodies in these countries affirmed that Ramadan would be extended to a full 30 days, following Islamic jurisprudence that dictates a complete lunar cycle in the absence of verified moon sightings.
 ÂThe Islamic lunar calendar determines the start and end of religious months based on moon sightings, which sometimes results in regional variations in Eid celebrations. While Saudi Arabia’s announcement often serves as a reference for many Muslim-majority nations, others rely on independent moon-sighting observations conducted by local scholars and religious authorities.
 ÂAcross the world, Muslim communities prepare for Eid by engaging in charitable activities such as Zakat al-Fitr, which is given to the needy before Eid prayers. Families also look forward to gathering for special meals, wearing new clothes, and participating in cultural traditions that vary from country to country.
 ÂThe confirmation of Eid-ul-Fitr dates highlights the diversity within the global Muslim community, as different regions follow their unique moon-sighting practices while maintaining the spiritual essence of the occasion.
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