Everyone in the UAE is eager to know the official dates for the Eid Al Fitr 2025 long weekend. Most residents and employees are waiting for the announcement. And now, as per the recent updates, the International Astronomy Centre has suggested that spotting the crescent moon of Shawwal on Saturday, March 29, will be impossible across the Arab and Islamic world.
When Will Eid Al Fitr Holidays Begin?
This means UAE employees can expect a break until Wednesday. According to experts, this is due to the moon setting before the sun, with the conjunction occurring only after sunset.
Given these conditions, the crescent will not be visible by any means—whether with the naked eye, telescopes, or advanced imaging technology—on March 29. As a result, in countries that rely on actual moon sightings to mark the beginning of Shawwal, Ramadan is expected to last a full 30 days, pushing Eid Al-Fitr celebrations to Monday, March 31.
In a statement, The International Astronomy Centre mentioned, “To confirm the impossibility of seeing the crescent moon on Saturday from the Arab region, the Earth will witness a partial solar eclipse at noon on Saturday, visible from parts of the western Arab world, such as Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. A solar eclipse is a visual conjunction observed by people with their own eyes, providing evidence that the crescent moon cannot be seen at that time or for a few hours afterward.”
Meanwhile, some regions may observe Eid a day earlier as well, again depending on the sighting. With varying practices in determining the start of Islamic months, different countries may mark Eid Al-Fitr on different days, depending on their approach to moon-sighting traditions.
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