Eid al-Fitr 2025 Expected to Start March 30 in Qatar

Doha, Qatar — March 30, 2025, is anticipated to be the first day of Eid al-Fitr, according to the Qatar Calendar House. The announcement comes from Executive Director Faisal Al Ansari, who based the estimate on astronomical calculations. The crescent moon marking the start of Shawwal is expected to appear on the evening of Saturday, March 29, at 1:58 PM Doha local time (10:58 AM GMT).

The official commencement of Shawwal, which is the 10th month in the Islamic lunar calendar, remains subject to confirmation by the Crescent Sighting Committee under the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.

In the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) declared that Sunday, March 30, through Tuesday, April 1, 2025, will be a paid holiday for all private sector employees in observance of Eid al-Fitr. The ministry noted that if Ramadan concludes after 30 days, the holiday will extend to include Wednesday, April 2.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) in the UAE has stated that the federal holiday for Eid al-Fitr will run from the first to the third of Shawwal, resuming work on the fourth day. If Ramadan lasts a full 30 days, the last day of fasting will also be a public holiday, adding to the festive break.

Saudi Arabia‘s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced a four-day Eid holiday for both private and non-profit sectors, spanning from March 30 to April 2, with normal operations starting again on April 3. This includes the Saturday-Sunday weekend, totaling six days off for private sector employees.

Kuwait‘s plans for the Eid holiday depend on the lunar sighting. If Eid starts on March 30, the public sector will observe a three-day break until April 2. However, should the holiday begin on March 31, the holiday will extend from March 30 to April 5, granting a nine-day respite when combined with the weekends.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims. Eid celebrations can only be confirmed following the sighting of the crescent moon, which indicates the official closing of Ramadan.

The moon-sighting committee in the UAE will convene on the evening of March 29 to search for the crescent. If sighted, Ramadan will conclude at 29 days, leading to Eid festivities commencing on March 30. Conversely, if the moon is not seen, Ramadan will last for 30 days, and Eid al-Fitr will begin on March 31.

As the prediction of March 30 approaches, public anticipation grows for the observance of Eid al-Fitr, signifying a joyous occasion and time for community celebrations across the region.