Prediction Times: Moon Sighting & Timeline for Eid Al-Fitr 2025
As the holy month of Ramadan approaches its conclusion, Muslims worldwide eagerly anticipate the sighting of the crescent moon that marks the beginning of Shawwal and the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr. This astronomical event, deeply rooted in Islamic tradition, is a blend of spirituality and science, requiring precise calculations and observations.
The Astronomical Conjunction
The next Astronomical Conjunction, a moment when the moon’s surface is completely dark and invisible, is set to occur on March 29, 2025, at 16:27 IST. The age of the crescent moon, calculated from this conjunction, plays a crucial role in determining its visibility. According to the ancient Babylonian Criterion, the crescent can be sighted if:
- The moon is at least 24 hours old.
- The moonset occurs at least 48 minutes after sunset under favorable weather conditions.
Moon Sighting Predictions
Based on astronomical data and the Babylonian Criterion, the crescent moon is expected to be visible in several regions of the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East on the evening of March 29, 2025. If sighted, Eid Al-Fitr will be celebrated on March 30, 2025. However, if the crescent remains unseen due to weather or other factors, the festival will be observed on March 31, 2025.
Scientific and Spiritual Significance
The moon sighting process is a magnificent intersection of faith and science, involving disciplines like astronomy, optical physics, and spherical trigonometry. Observation teams rely on these fields to predict and confirm the crescent’s visibility, ensuring that the Islamic calendar aligns with celestial events.
Prediction conclusions on the basis of Data Interpretation
| City/ Country | Local Lunar Conjunction Time on 29.03.2025 | Local Sunset Timing On 29.3.25 | Local Moonset Timing On 29.3.25 | Local Moonset Timing On 30.3.25 | Babylonian Visibility Criterion as applied at the Sunset of 29.03.2025 | Babylonian Visibility Criterion as applied at the Sunset of 30.03.2025 | |||||
| Age of Crescent@ Sunset | Moonset after Sunset Lag | Probability of Sighting Crescent | Age of Crescent@ Sunset | Moonset after Sunset Lag | Probability of Sighting Crescent | ||||||
| New Delhi India | 16.27 H | 18.37 H | 18.39 H | 19.48 H | 2 H, 22 M | 2 M | NIL | 26 H, 22 M | 71 M | Very High | |
| Mumbai India | 16.27 H | 18.51 H | 18.53 H | 19.56 H | 2 H, 24 M | 2 M | NIL | 26 H, 24 M | 65 M | Very High | |
| Srinagar India | 16.27 H | 18.49 H | 18.52 H | 20.05 H | 2 H, 22 M | 3 M | NIL | 26 H, 22 M | 76 M | Very High | |
| Kozhikode India | 16.27 H | 18.37 H | 18.37 H | 19.36 H | 2 H, 10 M | 0 | NIL | 26 H, 10 M | 59 M | Very High | |
| Dhaka Bangladesh | 16.57 H | 18.12 H | 18.11 H | 19.17 H | 1 H, 15 M | 0 | NIL | 25 H, 15 M | 65 M | Very High | |
| Islamabad Pakistan | 15.57 H | 18.26 H | 18.29 H | 19.42 H | 2 H, 29 M | 3 M | NIL | 26 H, 29 M | 76 M | Very High | |
| Kabul Afghanistan | 15.27 H | 18.11 H | 18.16 H | 19.30 H | 2 H, 44 M | 5 M | NIL | 26 H, 44 M | 79 M | Very High | |
| Tehran Iran | 14.24 H | 18.23 H | 18.31 H | 19.46 H | 3 H, 56 M | 8 M | NIL | 27 H, 56 M | 83 M | Very High | |
| Dubai UAE | 14.57 H | 18.33 H | 18.39 H | 19.46 H | 3 H, 36 M | 6 M | NIL | 27 H, 36 M | 73 M | Very High | |
| Makkah Tul MukarramahSaudi Arabia | 13.57 H | 18.34 H | 18.42 H | 19.47 H | 4 H, 37 M | 8 M | NIL | 28 H, 37 M | 73 M | Very High | |
Indian Subcontinent
On the evening of 29.03.2025, at respective sunsets, the two parameters of age of crescent and (moon-set after sunset)lag time for all seven projected cities, located in the Indian subcontinent, are far below the prescribed values of 24 Hours and 48 Minutes. Hence no chances of sighting of the new Crescent in the evening of 29.03.2025. The Crescent shall be visible at the sunset of 30.03.2025, meaning Eid Al-Fitr in the Indian Subcontinent shall fall on 31.03.2025.
Middle East
As was the case for Indian Subcontinental Cities, the age of Crescent and time lag of Moon-set after sunset are both on a very lower side than the requisite values prescribed in the Babylonian Criterion. Hence the Shawwal moon cannot be sighted in the evening of 29.03.2025 in Makkah Tul Mukarramah or in Dubai or in Tehran. Hence the Eid Al-Fitr in the Middle East should also fall on 31.03.2025 as per the Islamic Shariah requirement of physical sighting. However, Saudi Arabia makes use of what is called the Um Al-Qura Calendar which takes the day, next to the day in which Astronomical Conjunction has taken place, as the first day of new lunar month and has obviously no dependence on the physical sighting of crescent. Applying Um Al-Qura rule, which is understandably non-compliant to Shariah requirements, yields that Saudi Arabia shall celebrate Eid on 30.03.2025.
