The Ongoing Eid Moon-Sighting Controversy in Saudi Arabia
As Ramadan nears its end, the anticipation for Eid al-Fitr begins, but with it comes a familiar controversy—Saudi Arabia’s moon-sighting claims. Once again, astronomers and religious scholars are at odds with the official reports from the kingdom regarding the visibility of the crescent moon that marks the beginning of Eid. The debate is not new, but it continues to spark discussions within the Muslim world about the reliability of moon sightings in Saudi Arabia.
Astronomers assert that on Saturday, March 29, 2025, the crescent moon will be impossible to see from most parts of the world, including Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East. However, many expect that the kingdom will declare Eid for Sunday, March 30, regardless of the scientific findings. This pattern has been observed for years, where Saudi Arabia announces moon sightings that experts deem scientifically impossible. Critics argue that these early Eid declarations often align conveniently with the kingdom’s pre-determined Umm al-Qura calendar rather than actual lunar observations.
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The kingdom’s moon-sighting committee, comprised of a select group of observers, has been accused of reporting sightings that defy astronomical calculations. In 2023, for instance, Kuwaiti astronomer Adel al-Saadoun openly challenged the credibility of a Saudi moon sighting, claiming it was impossible to see the crescent with the naked eye or even with telescopes. Despite the skepticism, Saudi Arabia proceeded with its Eid announcement, prompting demands for photographic evidence—none of which was officially provided.
This year, institutions such as the UK’s His Majesty’s Nautical Almanac Office and the UAE-based International Astronomy Centre have reaffirmed that the crescent will only be visible on Sunday, March 30, making a Monday Eid more astronomically plausible. However, Saudi Arabia’s adherence to its pre-calculated calendar suggests that an announcement for Sunday remains likely, regardless of actual moon visibility.
Many Muslim-majority countries, including Egypt, Kuwait, and the UAE, traditionally align their Eid celebrations with Saudi Arabia. Others, such as Oman and Jordan, have occasionally diverged based on their independent moon-sighting efforts. In 2024, Oman and Jordan rejected Saudi Arabia’s Ramadan start date, demonstrating that not all nations blindly follow the kingdom’s lead.
In the UK and other non-Muslim majority countries, the divide is even more pronounced. Some communities strictly follow Saudi Arabia’s announcements, while others prefer to rely on local moon sightings or follow Morocco’s calendar due to its geographical proximity. The New Crescent Society in the UK has been advocating for a unified moon-sighting approach, emphasizing scientific accuracy over tradition.
Saudi Arabia has never officially responded to the allegations of premature moon sighting declarations, but if the kingdom’s moon-sighting committee were to delay Eid until Monday, March 31, it would mark a significant departure from their usual pattern. Whether this happens or not, the debate over moon sighting versus pre-determined calendars is likely to persist for years to come, shaping how Muslim communities worldwide determine their religious observances.
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