Page 80 - UAE FATWA PR REPORT - MARCH 2025 (ENGLISH)

4/3/25, 4:32 PM Eid Al Fitr 2025: Shawwal crescent moon sighting across the world
detection. Media coverage will document the event, highlighting the UAE’s role in advancing

crescent sighting methods.

08:15 AM, 30 March 2025

Astronomical insights: Crescent moon sighting

The International Astronomy Centre has confirmed that sighting the Shawwal crescent moon on

Saturday, March 29, will be impossible across the Arab and Islamic world. Since the moon will set

before the sun and conjunction will occur after sunset, moon sighting on that evening will not be
feasible.

In an exclusive statement to Gulf News, 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, revealed that precise astronomical calculations indicate the impossibility of sighting the

Shawwal crescent after sunset on March 29, 2025 (corresponding to 29 Ramadan 1446 AH).

Based on these calculations, the Emirates Astronomy Society anticipates that Ramadan will
complete 30 days, with Sunday, March 30, marking the last day of the holy month. Consequently,

Eid Al Fitr is expected to fall on Monday, March 31.

As a result, in countries that require an actual sighting to confirm the start of Shawwal, Ramadan

will likely last 30 days, making Eid Al Fitr fall on Monday, March 31. However, in regions where

the conjunction occurs before sunset, some countries may opt to declare Eid on Sunday, March 30,

based on traditional moon-sighting practices.

08:15 AM, 30 March 2025

Brunei confirms first day of Eid Al Fitr

Brunei has officially confirmed that Eid Al Fitr will be observed on Monday, March 31. Although

Eid falls on Monday, Ramadan in Brunei will last 29 days, as today marks the 28th day of the holy

month, with fasting having begun on March 2. The crescent moon is expected to be visible to the

naked eye tomorrow, Sunday, signaling the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid celebrations.

https://gulfnews.com/uae/ramadan/eid-al-fitr-2025-shawwal-crescent-moon-sighting-across-the-world-1.500076461 5/8