The UAE has confirmed a three-day holiday from Shawwal 1 to 3, with an additional day off if Ramadan lasts 30 days.
New Delhi: Millions of Muslims are eagerly waiting for the arrival of Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid al-Fitr, the joyous festival that marks the end of Ramadan. In 2025, Muslims in India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and other countries with significant Muslim populations will determine the exact date of Eid based on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon. The Eid moon sighting is expected on March 30, 2025, and depending on its visibility, Eid-ul-Fitr may be observed on either March 31 or April 1.
Notably, the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, making moon sighting a crucial aspect of determining each new month’s and also Eid’s exact date. The Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait, as well as Western nations like the United States, the UK, France and Germany, will be gearing up for the moonsighting event on the evening of 29th day of Ramadan 1446 AH.
This will be corresponding to March 29, 2025 and the Saudi Supreme Court and Moon Sighting Committees in the Middle East and West, will look for the crescent moon of Shawwal after the maghrib prayers.
Eid al-Fitr holidays
- Saudi Arabia has declared a four-day break from March 30 to April 2, with work resuming on April 3.
- The UAE has confirmed a three-day holiday from Shawwal 1 to 3, with an additional day off if Ramadan lasts 30 days.
- Kuwait has introduced flexible holiday plans—three days off if Eid falls on March 30, and an extended nine-day break if it falls on March 31.
- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Qatar and Bahrain, have also announced holidays ranging from three to six days.
The Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, making moon sighting crucial for determining the start and end of Ramadan. If the crescent moon is visible on March 30, Eid-ul-Fitr will be observed the next day, March 31. However, if the moon appears on March 31, Eid will be celebrated on April 1.
