Eid ul Fitr 2025: Moonsighting Controversies in Saudi Arabia
Eid ul Fitr 2025 began in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states on March 30, despite astronomers asserting the crescent moon was not visible. Saudi officials announced the sighting, while UK astronomers and observers voiced skepticism, citing scientific rationale against such a declaration. Differences in sighting interpretations persist, signifying ongoing discussions in lunar observation practices within the Islamic community.
Eid ul Fitr 2025 commenced in Saudi Arabia and nations such as the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait on March 30, despite contrary reports from astronomers regarding moon visibility. Saudi officials declared the Eid date just past 3 PM UK time on March 29 (6 PM local time), coinciding with sunset. This announcement marked the end of Ramadan and the start of Shawwal, accompanied by festivities lasting three days.
According to the UK’s HM Almanac Office, the crescent moon was not expected to be visible that day. Their forecast indicated that sightings were unlikely due to the positioning of the new moon, particularly affecting regions like the Middle East and North Africa. They suggested that sightings would be feasible the following days instead.
Despite these predictions, representatives from Saudi Arabia’s Two Holy Mosques announced via social media that the crescent had been sighted, confirming Eid for March 30. A local reporter had earlier expressed limited chances for moon visibility, estimating between 7 to 8 minutes of visibility under clear skies.
Ten observatories across Saudi Arabia participated in the moon sighting efforts. Abdullah Al-Khudairi, a moonsighting observer, indicated that differences in sighting opinions arose primarily among amateur observers, asserting clear skies facilitated the crescent sighting. However, comments on social media raised skepticism regarding the authenticity of the sighting.
Some netizens criticized the official announcement and called for time-stamped evidence of the sighting, expressing distrust in the Saudi declaration process. The UK’s New Crescent Society affirmed that moon visibility was scientifically impossible in Saudi Arabia on the said date and warned of frequent discrepancies with Saudi’s lunar calendar.
Dr. Zahid Nawaz, a UK moonsighting expert, explained that various factors, including moon age and a partial solar eclipse, would prevent moon visibility. He emphasized the importance of understanding different moonsighting methods before drawing conclusions about crescent sightings. Followers in the UK, including Birmingham’s Green Lane Masjid, noted the Saudi announcements for their own Eid celebrations, reflecting ongoing divisions concerning lunar determination methods.
This incident illustrates the ongoing complexities and disagreements in moonsighting practices, showcasing the balance between astronomical calculations and traditional lunar observation within the Islamic community, particularly in regard to Eid observances.
The commencement of Eid ul Fitr 2025 in Saudi Arabia sparked significant debate over moon visibility, challenging the intersection of astronomical predictions and religious tradition. The conflicting announcements from official bodies versus scientific forecasts underscore the importance of transparency and reliability in the moonsighting process. This incident highlights broader themes of observation practices within Islamic communities, emphasizing the necessity for informed discussions around lunar methodologies.
Original Source: www.birminghammail.co.uk
