Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries celebrate Idulfitri today

“The Supreme Court decided tomorrow, Sunday, March 30, 2025, is the first day of Idulfitri,” said the Royal Court statement that was issued by the Official Saudi news agency in X.

United Arab Emirates and Qatar also confirmed that IDULFITRI will start on Sundays, while Syria, Jordan, Libya, Oman and Iran, most Shia residents declare Monday as the first day of the holidays.

Idulfitri’s time is based on the appearance of the growing moon, according to the Islamic lunar calendar.

However, this year’s announcement triggered skepticism among several astronomers and observers of the Muslim month.

“It is scientifically impossible to see the Moon anywhere in the Middle East on Saturday. The moon will be too small and thin to be seen on the horizon,” said Imad Ahmed, founder of the new UK -based Crescent Society, to the new Arabic.

Ahmed clarified the widespread misunderstanding, explaining the Islamic months that did not start with the new phase of the Moon, but with the visible growing moon, which followed it.

“Some of the solar eclipses are expected to occur on Saturdays in most North Africa, they do not affect the visibility of the Moon, because the Moon will still be in a new phase that is not visible,” he explained.

The Muslim lunar calendar allows the moon to be 29 or 30 days, depending on its appearance. EID AL-FITHT marks the beginning of Shawwal, the tenth month.

In the United Kingdom, some Muslim communities follow Saudi Arabia’s announcement for reasons of comfort, although others become more and more to countries such as Morocco or recommend the appearance of independent local months.

Ahmed urged British Muslims to stop depending on foreign statements and is responsible for determining religious dates based on local observation.

Meanwhile, this year’s Ramadan and Idulfitri’s celebration was eclipped by the war in Gaza, where the ongoing Israeli military campaign, which for many people was described as genocide, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

(I)