Eid al-Fitr 2025: Moonsighting and Celebrations in the UK and Saudi Arabia

Eid al-Fitr, celebrated after Ramadan, will occur in 2025 on March 30 or 31, contingent on the new moon sighting. The festival includes prayers, feasts, and gift exchanges, emphasizing community spirit. Local variations in moonsighting practices have created divides among UK Muslims, leading to different Ramadan starts.

Eid al-Fitr, known as the ‘festival of breaking the fast’, marks the end of Ramadan and will be celebrated by millions globally. This festival is observed with communal prayers, gift exchanges, and lavish feasts shared among family and friends. It is the conclusion of a month where practicing Muslims have abstained from food and drink during daylight hours.

The timing of Eid is contingent upon the sighting of the new moon, with the UK community traditionally aligning its observance with Saudi Arabia and Morocco. Predicted dates for Eid al-Fitr indicate it could occur on Sunday, March 30, or Monday, March 31, 2025. Despite this forecast, there have been ongoing discussions about local moonsightings within the UK, which resulted in a divided start to Ramadan as some mosques adhered to different sightings.

Eid al-Fitr signifies a significant holiday in Islam, characterized by a specific congregational prayer. The largest event in Manchester will take place at Platt Fields Park, gathering members of the community for this important spiritual observance. Eid prayers are obligatory in congregation and underscore the communal aspect of the celebration. They are traditionally conducted at sunset when the crescent moon is first seen, though many mosques also offer prayers the following day.

Post-prayers, it is customary for Muslims to visit friends and relatives, extending wishes of joy and sharing gifts or sweets. The vibrant exchanges during Eid foster a strong sense of community and continued connections among family and friends.

For ongoing updates, please follow our live blog tracking moonsighting updates from the UK, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco as the end of Ramadan approaches. Millions eagerly await confirmation of the date to commence their Eid festivities.

Eid al-Fitr, concluding Ramadan, is a significant festival observed with prayers, feasts, and gift exchanges. The date of Eid is determined by the sighting of the new moon, with potential celebrations on March 30 or March 31, 2025. This holiday emphasizes communal prayers and family gatherings, highlighting its vital role in fostering community spirit among Muslims.

Original Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk