Saudi Arabia and Gulf Nations Celebrate Eidul Fitr with Prayers and Festivities

Eidul Fitr is being celebrated today across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and other Gulf countries, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Mass gatherings for Eid prayers took place at Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina, with officials estimating that over two million worshippers attended.

The celebration follows the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon, which varies by country and tradition. Kuwait and Bahrain are also observing Eid today with great religious enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Oman, along with Indonesia and Brunei, will celebrate Eid on Monday. In the United Kingdom, the Muslim community remains divided, with some marking the occasion today and others waiting until Monday. In the United States and Canada, mosques following pre-determined lunar calendars will hold Eid prayers on Sunday, while others await confirmed moon sightings before announcing the festival date.

Eidul Fitr is one of the most significant Islamic festivals, uniting communities in prayer, charity, and joyous celebrations following a month of fasting.

Yesterday, Saudi Arabia and the UAE confirmed Sunday as the first day of Eidul Fitr after the Shawwal crescent was sighted. Saudi Arabia's moon-sighting committee convened after Maghrib prayers and verified the sighting, marking the conclusion of Ramadan after 29 days of fasting.

The Saudi royal court subsequently announced that Sunday, March 30, 2025, would be the first day of Shawwal. Similarly, the UAE's Moon-Sighting Committee confirmed March 30 as Eidul Fitr.

UAE leaders, including President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, extended their warm congratulations to the UAE people and Muslims worldwide on this joyous occasion.

Kuwait and Qatar have also officially declared Sunday, March 30, 2025, as Eidul Fitr, with Saturday, March 29, marking the final day of Ramadan.

In Pakistan, the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee will convene on Sunday to confirm the sighting of the Shawwal crescent. The government has already announced public holidays from March 31 to April 2 in observance of Eidul Fitr.