Global Observance of Eid ul Fitr: Prayers and Moon Sightings 2025

Eid ul Fitr prayers took place across various countries including Saudi Arabia and UAE as Muslims globally celebrated the festival. While the festival is marked by the sighting of the Shawwal moon, some nations will observe it on Monday, March 31, 2025, due to non-sightings. The Bohra community in Pakistan also held festivities amidst the assessments of local moon sightings.

Eid ul Fitr prayers were celebrated globally on Sunday as Muslims in countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates marked this significant festival. The event also took place in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Turkiye, Iran, Sudan, Lebanon, Yemen, and Palestine, following the sighting of the Shawwal moon on Saturday.

Muslims observe Eid ul Fitr to signify the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. The festival’s timing is based on the lunar calendar, particularly the sighting of the crescent moon. In the United States and Canada, Islamic communities are similarly observing Eid, although some mosques may wait for local moon sightings to confirm the celebration.

In Pakistan, the Bohra community mainly engaged in Eid festivities with prayers held in various areas like Karachi’s Saddar, Soldier Bazaar, Baloch Colony, and North Nazimabad. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is set to meet this evening to assess the moon sighting for Eid ul Fitr, which may fall on Monday. Additionally, Afghan refugees in Pakistan are joining in the celebrations today despite heightened security.

Several countries, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia, have officially announced that Eid ul Fitr will be observed on Monday, March 31, 2025, due to the failed sighting of the crescent moon on Saturday. The National Moon Sighting Committee of Bangladesh confirmed that Sunday will mark the 30th day of Ramadan.

Iraq will also celebrate Eid on Monday, although prayers were conducted across various groups in the country on Sunday. Indonesia likewise declared Monday as Eid after not observing the Shawwal crescent. In India, the expectation for moon visibility led to plans for a Monday celebration of Eid, while Malaysia’s International Astronomy Centre confirmed the crescent’s visibility, supporting an Eid date of March 31. Brunei and Australia’s Fatwa Council echoed this declaration, noting anticipated moon sightings in both regions.

Eid ul Fitr is being celebrated globally, with particular observance in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and several other nations. The festival marks the conclusion of Ramadan, determined by lunar sightings. Countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia have confirmed varying dates for celebrations based on local observations, while the Bohra community in Pakistan is also participating in the festivities. Reports suggest that for many, Monday, March 31, 2025, will mark Eid ul Fitr due to the absence of crescent sightings on the preceding Saturday.

Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk