The Egyptian National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG) confirmed that Eid Al-Fitr will begin on Sunday, March 30, 2025 in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and several Arab countries according to astronomical calculations.
In a statement, NRIAG said that Ramadan will be 29 days as the conjunction of Shawwal crescent moon will occur on Saturday, 29 March at 1:00 PM Cairo local time. NRIAG added that the Shawwal crescent moon will be visible for about 11 minutes after sunset in Cairo, and for about 7 minutes in Makkah.
بيان رسمي عن هلال شهر شوال لعام 1446 هجرياً
عيد الفطر المبارك -فلكياً- يوم الأحد 30 مارس 2025 pic.twitter.com/eDjtjCFbJf
— المعهد القومي للبحوث الفلكية – مرصد حلوان (@NRIAG) March 20, 2025
Islamic countries sight Shawwal crescent moon on the 29th day of Ramadan. When the conjunction between the moon and the sun occurs before sunset and the new crescent moon is sighted after sunset, the following day marks the beginning of Shawwal and Eid Al-Fitr. If the conjunction occurs after sunset or if the crescent is not sighted after sunset, this means that Ramadan will extend to 30 days.
However, the International Astronomy Center (IAC) announced that Shawwal crescent moon sighting will be impossible in the eastern part of the world on March 29, 2025, which means that Eid Al-Fitr will start on March 31 in most Islamic countries.
Saudi Arabia has granted private and non-profit sectors employees a four-day holiday to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr. Employees will begin their holiday after work on Saturday, 29 March, resuming duties four days later. However, final dates depend on moon-sighting committees, which may extend festivities if Eid begins later.
