Explained: Eid Al Fitr 2025 holidays in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar

Eid Al Fitr marks the conclusion of Ramadan and is celebrated by Muslims worldwide

Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

Dubai: Eid Al Fitr holidays for both public and private sectors have been declared in several GCC nations, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar. However, the exact dates of the holidays depend on moon sightings, with astronomical predictions providing key insights.

Muslims urged to sight the Shawwal crescent moon

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court and the UAE’s Fatwa Council have urged Muslims to sight the Shawwal crescent on Saturday, March 29, 2025, marking the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid Al Fitr.

Authorities have requested anyone who spots the crescent—whether with the naked eye or binoculars—to report it to the nearest court or committee. Those capable of moon sighting are encouraged to participate in regional efforts to assist with confirmation.

Astronomical insights: Crescent moon sighting

The International Astronomy Centre has confirmed that sighting the Shawwal crescent moon on Saturday, March 29, will be impossible across the Arab and Islamic world. Since the moon will set before the sun and conjunction will occur after sunset, moon sighting on that evening will not be feasible.

In an exclusive statement to Gulf News, Emirati astronomer and Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, as well as a member of the Arab Union for Space and Astronomy, Ibrahim Al-Jarwan, revealed that precise astronomical calculations indicate the impossibility of sighting the Shawwal crescent after sunset on March 29, 2025 (corresponding to 29 Ramadan 1446 AH).

Also Read: Will Eid Al Fitr 2025 fall on March 30 or 31?

Based on these calculations, the Emirates Astronomy Society anticipates that Ramadan will complete 30 days, with Sunday, March 30, marking the last day of the holy month. Consequently, Eid Al Fitr is expected to fall on Monday, March 31.

Also Read: Eid Al Fitr likely on March 30, says Kuwait’s Al Ojairi Center

As a result, in countries that require an actual sighting to confirm the start of Shawwal, Ramadan will likely last 30 days, making Eid Al Fitr fall on Monday, March 31. However, in regions where the conjunction occurs before sunset, some countries may opt to declare Eid on Sunday, March 30, based on traditional moon-sighting practices.

Eid Al Fitr holidays in the UAE

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in the UAE has confirmed the Eid Al Fitr 2025 holidays for private sector employees. The break will begin on Sunday, March 30, and continue through Tuesday, April 1. If Ramadan lasts for 30 days, the holiday will be extended to Wednesday, April 2.

Federal government employees in the UAE will observe holidays from 1st to 3rd Shawwal 1446 AH, with official work resuming on 4th Shawwal. If Ramadan lasts 30 days, the 30th of Ramadan will be observed as an additional public holiday, extending the Eid Al Fitr break.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced a four-day holiday for private sector and non-profit organisations, starting at the end of the workday on Saturday, March 29. The holiday will extend for four days, in compliance with Article 24 of the Labour Law’s executive regulations.

Oman

Oman has declared Eid Al Fitr holidays for both public and private sectors starting on March 29, with the end of the holiday yet to be determined based on moon sighting. If Eid begins on Sunday, March 30, official work will resume on Wednesday, April 2. However, if Eid falls on Monday, March 31, work will resume on Sunday, April 6.

Private sector employers have been advised to pay March 2025 wages by March 27.

Kuwait

Kuwait has confirmed a three-to-five-day Eid Al Fitr holiday, depending on the moon sighting. If Eid begins on Sunday, March 30, the holiday will last three days, with work resuming on Wednesday, April 2. If Eid starts on Monday, March 31, the holiday will extend to five days, with work resuming on Sunday, April 6.

State agencies with special functions will determine their own holiday schedules based on public interest.

Qatar

Qatar has announced the Eid Al Fitr 2025 holiday dates. The Amiri Diwan confirmed that the holiday for ministries, government agencies, and public institutions will begin on Sunday, March 30, and end on Monday, April 7. Employees will resume work on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

With weekends typically falling on Friday-Saturday, this effectively means an extended 11-day break for many employees.

Two-day holiday for schools and kindergartens

In Qatar, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education has announced a two-day holiday for private schools and kindergartens on March 26-27, 2025, in preparation for Eid.

The Qatar Calendar House has predicted that March 30 will be the first day of Eid, based on astronomical calculations. However, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs will confirm the official start date of Shawwal after the crescent moon sighting.

Bahrain

Bahrain has confirmed the duration of Eid Al Fitr holidays. Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, issued a circular allocating a three-day holiday in the Kingdom.

According to the circular, Bahrain’s ministries and public institutions will close on the day of Eid Al Fitr and the two days that follow.

These announcements reflect the region’s coordinated efforts to ensure that public and private sector employees can celebrate Eid Al Fitr while adhering to traditional moon-sighting practices across the GCC countries.

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