Saudi Arabia, other Gulf nations mark Eidul Fitr with prayers, festivities

Celebrations begin with mass prayers at holy sites

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

Mass gatherings for Eid prayers were held at Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina, with officials estimating over two million worshippers in attendance.

The celebration is based on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon, which varies by country and tradition.

Kuwait and Bahrain, are also celebrating Eidul Fitr today with great religious enthusiasm.

Neighbouring Oman, as well as Indonesia and Brunei, will observe Eid on Monday. In the United Kingdom, the Muslim community is split, with some observing the festival today while others will celebrate on Monday.

In the United States and Canada, many mosques following pre-determined lunar calendars will hold Eid prayers on Sunday. Others are waiting for confirmed moon sightings before making a final announcement.

Eidul Fitr is one of the most significant festivals in the Islamic calendar, bringing communities together in prayer, charity, and celebration following a month of fasting.

Yesterday, Saudi Arabia and UAE confirmed Sunday as the first day of Eid Al Fitr after the Shawwal crescent was sighted earlier this evening, Arab media reported.

Saudi Arabia's moon-sighting committee convened after Maghrib prayers and verified the sighting of the new moon, marking the end of Ramadan after 29 days of fasting.

The Saudi royal court announced that the first day of Shawwal will be Sunday, March 30, 2025, following the sighting of the crescent moon.

Meanwhile, the UAE's Moon-sighting Committee also announced that Sunday, March 30, 2025, will be the first day of Eidul Fitr.

The minister and committee members extended their warm congratulations to UAE leadership, including President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as to the Supreme Council Members, Rulers of the Emirates, and Crown Princes.

They also congratulated the UAE people and Muslims worldwide on this joyous occasion.

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

In Pakistan, the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee will hold a moon-sighting meeting on Sunday to confirm the start of Eidul Fitr. The government has already declared three holidays from March 31 to April 2 for the occasion.