Expected Dates and Holidays for Eid al-Fitr 2025 in the Gulf Region

March 30, 2025, is expected to be the first day of Eid al-Fitr according to Qatar’s Calendar House, subject to moon sighting. The UAE has declared a series of public holidays around this date for both private and federal sectors. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have their respective holiday schedules that also hinge on the lunar calendar.

The Qatar Calendar House has predicted that March 30, 2025, will likely be the inaugural day of Eid al-Fitr, based on astronomical calculations. Executive Director Faisal Al Ansari stated that the crescent moon for Shawwal is expected to be sighted on the evening of March 29 at 1:58 PM local time. Nonetheless, the official commencement of Shawwal will be determined by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs’ Crescent Sighting Committee.

In the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization has declared that the holiday commemorating Eid al-Fitr will span from March 30 to April 1, 2025, for private sector employees. Should Ramadan conclude with 30 days, the holiday may extend to April 2. The federal government sector, as per the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, has stipulated a holiday from the 1st to the 3rd of Shawwal, with operations resuming on the 4th.

Saudi Arabia has announced a four-day holiday for Eid al-Fitr, extending from March 30 through April 2, with work scheduled to resume on April 3. This provides private sector employees in the Kingdom with an extended six-day vacation, including the regular weekend.

In Kuwait, if Eid al-Fitr commences on March 30, the public sector will observe a three-day work suspension, resuming on April 2. However, should the holiday begin on March 31, work will halt from March 30 to April 5, leading to a combined nine-day holiday including weekends.

The precise date for Eid al-Fitr remains unconfirmed, anticipated to fall between March 30 and March 31, contingent upon the moon sighting. The lunar nature of the Islamic calendar necessitates such observations to mark the conclusion of Ramadan and the commencement of Eid, thus delaying the official announcements in various countries.

Legislation in the UAE states that if Ramadan lasts 30 days, Day 30 will be recognized as a holiday, contributing to a potential four-day break for Eid al-Fitr. In contrast, if the crescent moon is not observed on the 29th, the holiday will shift to start on March 31, lasting until April 2. This scenario would allow residents a five-day holiday from Saturday to Wednesday, depending on the moon sighting.

In summation, Eid al-Fitr is projected to begin on March 30, 2025, based on astronomical predictions. Various Gulf countries, including Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, have outlined their holiday schedules, which will depend on the sighting of the crescent moon. Official confirmations will be announced accordingly, affecting the duration of the holiday for residents in these regions. Ultimately, residents might enjoy substantial holidays ranging from three to five days, thereby marking a significant celebration at the end of Ramadan.

Original Source: economymiddleeast.com