Eid al-Fitr 2025, the joyous festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, brought together millions of Muslims across the globe in celebration. However, the date of Eid varied from country to country due to the traditional reliance on moon sightings to determine the start of the Islamic month of Shawwal.
Different Eid Dates Across Regions
In the Middle East, the Gulf countries, led by Saudi Arabia—including Gaza and Lebanon—celebrated Eid on Sunday, March 30, after the crescent moon was sighted on Saturday, March 29. Afghanistan also declared March 30 as the day of Eid.
Meanwhile, Iran and South Asian nations such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, along with Indonesia and Malaysia, observed Eid on Monday, March 31. Many countries in Africa, Europe, and the Americas also followed this timeline, marking Eid on the same day.
In Australia, the majority of Muslims celebrated Eid on Monday, March 31. However, the Turkish diaspora, following Turkey’s official decision, observed Eid a day earlier on Sunday, March 30. At the same time, Moonsighting Australia, which adheres strictly to local moon sightings, delayed Eid celebrations to Tuesday, April 1.
Fiji aligned with the Moonsighting Australia decision, while New Zealand, adhering to its own moon sighting procedures, also celebrated Eid on Tuesday, April 1.
Unity in Diversity
These regional differences highlight the diversity in Islamic practice and the enduring importance of lunar traditions. Despite the variations in dates, the essence of Eid remained unchanged—marked by communal prayers, charitable giving, and joyous gatherings with family and friends.
The diversity in Eid celebrations reflects the vast geographic and cultural spread of the Muslim world. While some advocate for a unified global Eid date based on astronomical calculations, many communities continue to uphold the traditional method of local moon sightings, preserving historical religious customs.
Ultimately, regardless of the specific day of celebration, the spirit of Eid remains universal—a time of gratitude, reflection, and unity among Muslims worldwide.
