Saudi astronomers anticipate the Shawwal moon may be sighted on the evening of Saturday, March 29, signaling Eidul Fitr could be celebrated on Sunday, March 30.
According to Arab media, the new moon is set to appear at 2:00 PM on March 29 and remain visible for eight minutes after sunset.
However, the International Astronomy Centre has declared that spotting the Shawwal crescent moon on March 29 will be impossible across the Arab and Islamic world. The moon is expected to set before the sun, with conjunction occurring after sunset, making moon sighting that evening unfeasible.
Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) similarly noted that the moon’s age at sunset in Makkah would be approximately five hours, which is insufficient for clear visibility. Consequently, the chances of sighting the moon on March 29 are extremely low.
As Islamic months typically span 29 or 30 days, Shawwal is projected to begin on either March 30 or March 31, depending on the moon sighting. This comes after Ramadan, which began on March 1.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced a four-day holiday for private sector and non-profit organizations.
The holiday begins at the end of the workday on Saturday, March 29, and will extend for four days, in accordance with Article 24 of the Labor Law’s executive regulations.
