Eid holidays: UAE astronomers share update on when Eid Al Fitr is predicted to start

The International Astronomy Centre has revealed key moon sighting information ahead of Eid Al Fitr.

In its latest astronomical report, the Abu Dhabi-based observatory revealed the conditions for sighting the crescent moon which will influence the start date of Eid Al Fitr.

In the Islamic Hijri calendar, months can only begin and end when the crescent moon has been sighted.

Eid Al Fitr begins on the first day of Shawwal and can only be confirmed when Ramadan is over.

Earlier this week, the UAE government confirmed that employees in all sectors will be off from Sunday March 30 until Tuesday April 1 with an additional day off on Wednesday April 2 if Ramadan is a 30-day month.

And the latest astronomical report looks like it will be great news for anyone hoping for an extended five-day long weekend as it will be impossible to see the crescent moon of Shawwal even with the latest technology on Saturday March 29.

In a post made on X, formerly Twitter, the International Astronomy Centre explained that it would not be possible for those in the GCC region.

تقرير فلكي حول ظروف رؤية هلال عيد الفطر 1446 هـ

ستتحرى معظم الدول هلال شهر شوال (عيد الفطر 1446 هـ) يوم السبت 29 مارس/آذار 2025م، ورؤية الهلال في ذلك اليوم مستحيلة من شرق العالم، وهي غير ممكنة من باقي مناطق العالم العربي والإسلامي باستخدام جميع وسائل الرصد بما في ذلك العين… pic.twitter.com/pcCRWgPfD6

— مركز الفلك الدولي (@AstronomyCenter) March 19, 2025

A map provided by the International Astronomy Centre shows that it will not be possible to see the crescent of Shawwal with a telescope or the naked eye on Saturday March 29 in the UAE.

Astronomers explained that the moon could not be seen due to a number of different factors such as angular distance from the sun and its distance from the horizon at the time of observation.

The earth will also witness a partial solar eclipse at noon on Saturday, visible from parts of the Arab world, which will mean that the crescent moon cannot be seen at that time or for a few hours afterwards.

Areas not covered by any colour on the global map will not be able to see the moon as the moon’s distance from the sun will be less than seven degrees.

In eastern regions of the world, covered by red, it will be impossible to see due to the moon setting before sunset or due to the topocentric conjunction occurring after sunset.

While in the west of the world, covered by blue and magenta, it is possible to see the crescent of Shawwal on Saturday March 29 either with the naked eye or a telescope.

A astronomical map shows that sighting the crescent moon on Saturday March 29 will not be possible in the UAE (Credit: International Astronomy Centre)

The centre reported that in countries that require the correct sighting of the crescent moon, such as the UAE, Ramadan is expected to last 30 days which would mean that Eid Al Fitr begins on Monday March 31.

The report did, however, say that there is a slight possibility that the beginning of Eid Al Fitr could be confirmed for Sunday March 30 when the moon sets after sunset in the Islamic world.

But it also explained that even the latest scientific crescent observation technology would not be able to see the crescent moon on Saturday March 29.

The report said: “For countries that require the correct sighting of the crescent moon, Ramadan is expected to last 30 days and Eid Al Fitr is expected to fall on Monday March 31.

“However, given that the conjunction occurs on Saturday March 29, before sunset, and that the moon sets after sunset in the central and western parts of the Islamic world, it is customary under such circumstances for some countries to declare the beginning of Ramadan the following day.

“Therefore, it is not unlikely that some countries will declare Eid Al Fitr on Sunday, March 30.”

A spokesman for the International Astronomy Centre clarified the findings of the report are scientific facts but that what the official observatories will declare is not known at this point.

He said: “Yes, we expect that Ramadan will be 30 days in some countries and it will be 29 days in other countries. It will not be the same for all countries.

“We cannot say what will happen in the UAE because this is determined by official entities not by us so we cannot comment on this. We cannot know for certain what will happen.

“Our statement is scientific facts but what the official observatories will declare is something we cannot know for now.”