Ramadan is nearing its end, and Muslims worldwide can finally mark the date on the calendar: Saudi Arabia announced that Eid al-Fitr will officially fall on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
Early on Saturday morning, the crescent moon of Shawwal appeared and brought Ramadan’s month-long spiritual sojourn to a close.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2025? It’s officially Sunday, March 30
This wait finally came to an end on Saturday morning, March 29, when moon spotters confirmed the sighting of the Shawwal crescent in Saudi Arabia. Following that, Muslims the world over will celebrate Eid al-Fitr 2025 on Sunday, March 30.
Although Islamic festivals fall on dates according to the Hijri lunar calendar, official Eid dates always depend upon actual sightings of the moon. Confirmation from Saudi Arabia is usually taken as a benchmark for the rest of the world in terms of the start of Shawwal, the Islamic month that follows Ramadan.
Why the Date of Eid Changes Each Year
Whereas the dates in the Gregorian calendar are fixed, Islamic dates depend on the moon cycle and are therefore either 29 or 30 days in each month; this shifts Ramadan and Eid forward by about 10–11 days every year.
This shift in the calendar means that in 2030, Muslims will be observing two Ramadans in one Gregorian year; an astronomical quirk made possible by the fact that the lunar year is shorter.
What is Eid al-Fitr, and why do people celebrate it?
Eid al-Fitr is one of the two major Islamic holidays, literally translating to “festival of breaking the fast.” It’s the end of Ramadan’s dawn-to-dusk fasting and the beginning of a period of joy, community, and gratitude.
Also referred to as the “Festival of Sweets,” Eid al-Fitr unites families and friends through morning prayers, gift exchanges, shared meals, and acts of charity. The day is considered by many to be the most heartwarming day of the year.
How Muslims Celebrate Eid al-Fitr
There are Eid prayers, embraces, sweets, and greetings like “Eid Mubarak” or “Eid Saeed” in mosques or open grounds. The children mainly receive cash gifts called Eidi, and the whole family gathers together for an elaborate meal after a month of daily fasts.
Among the main sunnahs or traditions of the Prophet Muhammad followed on Eid, there are:
- Taking a shower before the Eid prayers.
- Wearing the best clothes and perfume
- Takbeer: Praise to Allah while going towards the musalla ground.
- He took a different route while on his way home from the prayer.
How to Pronounce and Greet People on Eid
Wondering how to pronounce “Eid”? It is pronounced like “eed” and rhymes with “feed.”
If you want to greet your Muslim friend, then you can simply say “Happy Eid!” You can also say “Eid Mubarak”, which means Blessed Eid, or “Eid Saeed”, which means Happy Eid.
What is Ramadan, the month leading to Eid?
Ramadan is that month in the Islamic calendar when 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide abstain from food, drink, and other bodily needs from morning to sunset every day. This is also a month of deep introspection, increased worship, and spiritual development.
Fasting, or sawm, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam; it is intended to contribute to the purification of the soul and to make one sensitive to the plight of the underprivileged. The month is spent by Muslims in study of the Qur’an, offering of extra prayers, and performance of acts of charity.
“Ramadan is not a holiday of deprivation and difficulty… it becomes a time of community bonding, increased worship, and hope,” says Laura El Alam from WhyIslam.org.
What Happens Next?
With the declaration of Eid al-Fitr on Sunday, March 30, preparations go into top gear around the world: sweets fill shops, prayer grounds get set, and families plan meals and spending times together. After a month of spiritual introspection, Eid is the time to come together with family members and friends to celebrate blessings and look ahead with restored faith.
People Also Ask
Is Eid-al-Fitr 1 or 3 days?
Officially, it is one day, but very often in many cultures, celebrations continue up to three days.
Do Muslims work on Eid?
Eid is a public holiday in many countries with Muslims as the majority. In others, Muslims may use the day to meet with their families.
Is Eid al-Fitr the same as Eid al-Adha?
No, Eid al-Adha falls later in the year and commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim – Abraham – to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.
Can non-Muslims join in Eid celebrations?
Of course, many Muslim families warmly welcome friends of all faiths to join in the celebrations.
Final Words
With the official declaration by Saudi Arabia of the crescent moon sighting, Eid al-Fitr 2025 is now sure to be observed on Sunday, March 30. I
t is a moment of unity, celebration, and deep meaning when close to 2 billion Muslims worldwide come together in rejoicing over spiritual rejuvenation and community bonding. So go ahead, say it out loud: “Eid Mubarak!”
