Wait, didn't we just finish the last one? Time flies. Now everyone is asking the same thing: when is Eid ul Fitr 2025? If you're looking for a quick, one-second answer, most of the world is circling Sunday, March 30, or Monday, March 31, 2025, on their calendars.
But it's never quite that simple, is it?
The Islamic calendar is lunar. That means we’re all at the mercy of a tiny sliver of white in the night sky. Since the moon doesn't care about our digital Google Calendars, the exact date shifts by about 10 or 11 days every year compared to the solar Gregorian calendar. For 2025, we are looking at a springtime Eid, which is honestly a relief for those of us who remember the long, grueling summer fasts of a few years back.
The Scientific Reality of When is Eid ul Fitr 2025
Let's talk logistics. Ramadan in 2025 is expected to begin around March 1st. If the month lasts 29 days, we hit Eid on the 30th. If the moon plays hard to see and Ramadan goes the full 30 days, we’re looking at March 31st.
Astronomers at places like the HM Nautical Almanac Office and the International Astronomy Centre have been crunching the numbers for months. On Saturday, March 29, 2025, the "birth" of the new moon (the conjunction) happens around 10:57 UT.
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Here is where it gets tricky:
- Saudi Arabia and the Gulf: They often rely on the Umm al-Qura calendar or local sightings that sometimes happen even when visibility is low. Because the moon is born on Saturday, there is a very high probability Saudi Arabia will declare Eid for Sunday, March 30.
- India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh: These regions usually start Ramadan a day later than the Middle East. For them, the moon sighting attempt will likely happen on Sunday evening, making their Eid Monday, March 31.
- North America and the UK: It’s a bit of a toss-up. Some communities follow Saudi Arabia blindly (Sunday), while others wait for a local "naked-eye" sighting or follow the Fiqh Council of North America (which often leans toward the calculated astronomical birth), pointing toward Sunday.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a localized "wait and see" game. You've probably experienced that chaotic Saturday night where half your WhatsApp groups are saying "Eid Mubarak" and the other half are planning one more day of Sadaqah.
Why the discrepancy exists
You might wonder why we can't just agree on a date. We have telescopes. We have satellites. We literally know where the moon is to the millimeter.
The debate usually falls into two camps. One group believes in Ikhtilaf al-Matali (different sightings for different locations). If you can't see it in London, it’s not Eid in London. The other group follows Global Sighting, arguing that if the moon is seen anywhere—say, in Morocco or Chile—it’s Eid for everyone.
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Then you have the "Calculations vs. Sighting" debate. Some scholars argue that the Prophet (PBUH) told us to "fast when you see it," implying a physical sighting is a requirement of worship. Others say the intent was to know when the month starts, and now that science can tell us that better than our eyes, we should use it.
Regional Expected Dates
| Region | Expected Date | Sighting Attempt |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia / UAE / Qatar | March 30, 2025 | March 29 |
| USA / Canada | March 30, 2025 | March 29 |
| United Kingdom | March 30 or 31 | March 29/30 |
| India / Pakistan | March 31, 2025 | March 30 |
| Australia / Indonesia | March 31, 2025 | March 30 |
Don't take these as gospel. The official announcement only happens on the 29th night of Ramadan after the Maghrib prayer. That's when the "Moon Sighting Committees" sit down, wait for reports, and finally make the call.
The "Double Ramadan" Myth
You might see some viral TikToks or "news" sites claiming there are two Ramadans in 2025. This is kinda true but also kinda clickbait. Because the lunar year is shorter, we occasionally get Ramadan twice in one Gregorian year. This won't actually happen in 2025; it’s slated for 2030, where Ramadan will start in January and then again in late December. So, for 2025, you only have to worry about one month of fasting!
Preparing for the 2025 Festivities
Since we know the window for when is Eid ul Fitr 2025 is likely the end of March, it’s smart to plan ahead. March in the Northern Hemisphere is hit-or-miss. It could be a beautiful spring morning or a rainy mess.
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- Work and School: If you're in the US or UK, request both March 30 and March 31 off now. Most employers are cool with a "floating" religious holiday if you explain the moon situation.
- Zakat al-Fitr: This is the mandatory charity due before the Eid prayer. In 2025, expect this to be around $10–$15 per person in your household. Don't wait until the last minute; get it paid early so it actually reaches people in need before the holiday starts.
- The "Chand Raat" Vibe: If Eid is on a Sunday, Saturday night (Chand Raat) is going to be massive. Expect markets to be packed. If you need henna or new clothes, buy them in February. Seriously.
What if it's cloudy?
This is the classic dilemma. If clouds cover the sky on March 29, most committees will simply complete 30 days of Ramadan. It’s a fail-safe. If we don't see the moon, we keep fasting. It’s a built-in buffer that ensures no one accidentally breaks their fast early.
It’s also worth noting that in 2025, there is a partial solar eclipse on March 29. While this doesn't directly change the religious ruling, it makes the astronomical "new moon" phase very easy to track for scientists, even if the crescent isn't visible to the naked eye until the next day.
Actionable Next Steps
To make sure you aren't caught off guard, here is what you should actually do:
- Bookmark a reliable local moon-sighting tracker. Sites like Moonsighting.com or your local Central Mosque's Twitter feed are better than generic news sites.
- Coordinate with your community. If your local mosque follows a specific board (like the Central Moon Sighting Committee of Great Britain or the Hilal Committee of North America), stick with them to keep the community unified.
- Set a reminder for March 29, 2025. That evening, after sunset, is when the "official" news will break.
The beauty of Eid isn't just the date—it's the relief and the gratitude that comes after a month of discipline. Whether it falls on Sunday or Monday, the "Meethi Eid" (Sweet Eid) always feels like it arrives exactly when it's supposed to.
Keep an eye on the horizon. The moon usually tells the best story.