Muslims worldwide scan the evening sky for a thin crescent moon — and that wait comes with questions. Is the sighting confirmed? Who’s announced it? When exactly do celebrations begin? For Eid ul Fitr 2025, the answers are starting to come in from official bodies across multiple regions, though the picture isn’t entirely uniform. This tracker follows the confirmation trail from Ireland to Saudi Arabia, highlighting what we know, what’s still uncertain, and what the moon-sighting process actually looks like in practice.

4 related posts

Expected Date: March 30, 2025 · Ireland Confirmation: Sunday, March 30 (Islamic Centre Ireland) · Ramadan End: March 29, 2025 · Moon Sighting: Determines exact start

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • US/Canada: local sightings may shift to March 31
  • Astronomical vs. visual sighting discrepancies
  • Regional committee reports vary by city
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Key dates for Eid ul Fitr 2025 are summarised below.

Label Value
Primary Date Sunday, March 30, 2025
Confirmed By Islamic Centre Ireland; The Statesman (Saudi)
Duration Sundown March 30 to 31
Precedes Shawwal 1 (1446 AH)
Saudi Holiday End April 2, 2025
Work Resumes Saudi April 3, 2025

When is Eid al-Fitr in 2025?

The most widely anticipated date for Eid al-Fitr 2025 falls on Sunday, March 30. Calendar predictions from multiple sources — including Moonsighting.com — pegged this date well in advance based on astronomical calculations. The astronomical new moon for Shawwal 1446 AH occurred on March 29, 2025 at 10:57 UTC, which aligns with the observed calendar pattern for this year.

Astronomical conditions that night suggested favorable visibility in many regions. The Umm al-Qura calendar, Saudi Arabia’s official civil calendar, lists Shawwal 1 as March 30, 2025 — a prediction that has historically guided much of the Middle East’s Eid planning.

Expected global date

  • Saudi Arabia and most Gulf states: March 30, 2025
  • Ireland: March 30, 2025 (following Saudi sighting)
  • North America: Predicted as March 30, 2025 (astronomical basis), though local sightings may shift observance to March 31 in some communities

Calendar predictions

The Islamic lunar calendar runs approximately 10–11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, which means Ramadan and Eid migrate earlier each season. Moonsighting.com, which tracks astronomical new moons for this purpose, listed March 29, 2025 as the expected conjunction date — placing Eid on the following day under ideal viewing conditions.

Is Eid al-Fitr 2025 confirmed?

Yes, for the regions with the most direct reporting. Islamic Centre Ireland officially announced that Eid ul Fitr 2025 falls on Sunday, March 30, 2025, based on the crescent moon sighting in Saudi Arabia. Their statement read: “The crescent has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, hence Eid will be on SUNDAY 30 MARCH 2025.”

Saudi Arabia confirmed the same date after the Saudi Supreme Court called for moon sightings on the evening of March 29, 2025. The official statement from Saudi authorities confirmed the Shawwal moon was sighted on that date, setting Eid on March 30.

Official announcements

Moon sighting role

The moon sighting process remains central to Eid date determination. Islamic law holds that Eid begins the day after Ramadan 29 if the Shawwal crescent is visually sighted. If no sighting occurs, Ramadan extends to 30 days. This year, both Saudi Arabia and Ireland reported positive sightings on the evening of March 29.

Why this matters

Saudi Arabia’s announcement carries significant weight globally — many Muslim communities, including those in Ireland, follow Saudi moon sighting reports rather than conducting independent local observations.

What date is Eid Mubarak 2025?

Eid Mubarak — the greeting exchanged on Eid morning — will be observed on March 30, 2025 in most officially reporting regions. Eid prayers at Islamic Centre Ireland are scheduled for 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM on that date. In Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdurrahman Al-Sudais leads Eid prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on March 30, 2025.

Eid Mubarak timing

The celebration begins at sundown on March 29 (when the moon is sighted) and continues through the following day. For those following the Saudi calendar, Eid greetings would properly begin from the evening of March 29 and flow through March 30.

Regional differences

  • Saudi Arabia: March 30 (March 29 sighting)
  • Ireland: March 30 (follows Saudi)
  • US and Canada: March 30–31 depending on local committee decisions
  • UK: Typically aligns with Saudi or conducts independent sighting
Bottom line: Muslims in Ireland and Saudi Arabia must plan for Eid on March 30, 2025, with celebrations beginning the evening of March 29. North American communities may observe the holiday on March 31 if local moon sighting committees report visibility on March 30.

Is Eid confirmed in Ireland?

Islamic Centre Ireland has officially confirmed Eid ul Fitr 2025 for Sunday, March 30, 2025. The centre follows the Saudi moon sighting for its calendar determination — a common practice among European Muslim communities without independent sighting infrastructure.

IFI announcement

The Islamic Centre Ireland announcement, published on their website, stated definitively: “The crescent has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, hence Eid will be on SUNDAY 30 MARCH 2025.” This follows the centre’s standard practice of aligning with Saudi Arabia’s official announcement rather than conducting a local Irish sighting.

Local celebrations

Eid prayers at Islamic Centre Ireland are scheduled in two sessions on March 30, 2025: the first at 9:30 AM and the second at 10:30 AM. Muslims in Ireland following this announcement would prepare for Eid celebrations beginning the evening of March 29.

When exactly is Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr begins at sundown on the day following Ramadan 29, contingent on crescent moon visibility. If the Shawwal crescent is sighted on the evening of March 29, Eid falls on March 30. The determination process involves local sighting committees reporting to religious authorities, who then issue formal announcements.

Factors affecting date

  • Visual confirmation of crescent moon sighting
  • Regional sighting committee reports
  • Astronomical new moon timing (supports prediction but does not determine observation)
  • Sunset time in the relevant region

2025 specifics

In 2025, the astronomical new moon for Shawwal occurred at 10:57 UTC on March 29, 2025 — well within the window for same-day visibility in Saudi Arabia and much of the Middle East. The Saudi Supreme Court called for sighting attempts on the evening of March 29 and subsequently confirmed the positive result.

Timeline

The progression from Ramadan to Eid follows a precise sequence of astronomical and religious events.

Date Event
Feb 28, 2025 Ramadan 1446 AH begins
March 29, 2025 Ramadan ends; Shawwal moon sighting attempted
March 29, 2025 Shawwal crescent reportedly sighted in Saudi Arabia
March 30, 2025 Eid al-Fitr begins in Saudi Arabia and Ireland
April 2, 2025 Saudi public Eid holiday ends
April 3, 2025 Saudi private sector work resumes

Confirmed vs. Unconfirmed

Confirmed

  • Ireland: Eid on March 30, 2025 (Islamic Centre Ireland)
  • Saudi Arabia: Eid on March 30, 2025 following March 29 sighting
  • Astronomical new moon for Shawwal: March 29, 2025 at 10:57 UTC
  • Saudi holiday: March 29 evening to April 2
  • Work resumes: April 3, 2025

Unconfirmed / Variable

  • North American local sightings: Some communities may report March 30 or March 31 visibility
  • Regional committee reports: Individual city sighting reports in Saudi remain poorly documented in open sources
  • UK determination: Typically follows Saudi but local confirmation awaited
  • Independent verification: Some astronomers question whether Saudi sighting conditions were actually favourable on March 29

What sources say

“The crescent has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, hence Eid will be on SUNDAY 30 MARCH 2025.”

Islamic Centre Ireland

“Saudi Arabia has officially announced that Eid Al-Fitr 2025 will be celebrated on Sunday, March 30.”

The Statesman

“Many experts predict that the Saudi authorities will declare Eid for Sunday, regardless of the crescent’s visibility.”

Imad Ahmed, Founder, New Crescent Society

The catch

Saudi Arabia’s Umm al-Qura calendar predicted March 30 before any sighting occurred. Some astronomers note that past Saudi moon sighting reports have documented visibility under conditions they consider impossible — meaning the calendar and the actual astronomical visibility sometimes diverge.

Related reading: Carer’s Support Grant Ireland Increase 2025

Additional sources

gw.humane.edu.ec, hindustantimes.com, economictimes.com, moonsighting.org.uk, timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Regional variations persist, as Saudi Arabia predictions detail how Saudi moon sightings often set the tone for global Eid ul-Fitr observances around March 30.

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Frequently asked questions

When is Eid al-Adha 2025?

Eid al-Adha 2025 falls approximately 70 days after Eid al-Fitr 2025, based on the Islamic lunar calendar. The holiday commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son and is observed during Dhul Hijjah. Specific dates for 2025 will depend on moon sighting for Dhul Hijjah, typically confirmed several months ahead.

What is the difference between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the month-long fasting period. Eid al-Adha occurs during the Hajj pilgrimage in Dhul Hijjah and commemorates Ibrahim’s sacrifice. Both are major Islamic holidays, but they fall in different months and carry distinct religious significance. Eid al-Fitr involves a special charity (zakat al-fitr) given before the holiday prayer, while Eid al-Adha includes the Qurbani (sacrifice) ritual.

How is Eid al-Fitr date determined?

The date is determined by the visual sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon. Islamic authorities in each country (or region) rely on sighting committees to observe the sky on the 29th night of Ramadan. If the crescent is seen, Eid falls the next day; if not, Ramadan extends to 30 days and Eid shifts accordingly. Some regions follow astronomical calculations, while others rely solely on confirmed visual sightings.

Is Eid ul Fitr 2025 in September?

No. Eid ul Fitr 2025 is expected in late March, not September. The Islamic lunar calendar runs roughly 10–11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, causing Eid to shift earlier each year. In 2024, Eid al-Fitr fell around April 10; by 2026, it would move to mid-March again. A September Eid would only occur if Ramadan began in late August of the Gregorian year, which is not the case for 2025.

What are Eid ul-Fitr 2025 wishes?

Common Eid Mubarak greetings include “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid), “Eid Sa’id” (Happy Eid), or more elaborate wishes such as “May this Eid bring you joy, peace, and prosperity.” Many Muslims also use regional greetings — in Arabic, “Eid Kareem” or “Taqabbal Allahu Minna Wa Minkum” (May Allah accept from us and you) is traditional. Wishes are exchanged from the moment Eid is confirmed through the first day of celebration.