When is el eid? Everything You Need to Know About the Date and Celebration  

When is El Eid? It is a query Muslims pose each year as they eagerly await the celebratory celebration of Eid al-Fitr. Eid date is not fixed in the Gregorian calendar because it adheres to the Islamic lunar calendar, which makes it shift each year. Based on observation of the new moon, when is El Eid varies from country to country and society to society?

Being aware of what distinguishes it from other things helps Muslims worldwide to prepare themselves for this sacred celebration with understanding and passion.

When is Eid al-Fitr? A Complete Guide to the Date

Eid al-Fitr, referred to simply as “El Eid,” is a significant Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan, a sacred month of fasting.

Eid al-Fitr occurs on a precise date annually, based on the observation of the new moon that indicates the advent of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims worldwide thus have each year the question “when is el eid” on their minds.

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How Is the Date of Eid Determined Each Year?

The Islamic calendar is lunar and months begin with the sighting of the crescent moon. This method causes the start of each month, including Shawwal, to vary by one or two days depending on the visibility of the moon in various regions of the world.

Therefore, the date of Eid al-Fitr is not calendrical in the Gregorian calendar and changes approximately 10 to 12 days prior from year to year. This seasonal difference tends to lead to the query, “when is el eid,” as communities anticipate official declarations of moon sightings.

Moon Sighting vs. Astronomical Calculations: When Is Eid?

 In 2025, “Eid al-Fitr” is expected to begin on the night of Sunday, March 30th, with celebrations extending until Monday, March 31st. The dates given here are astronomical predictions, but the actual “Eid start” is subject to local moon sightings.

For example, according to some sources, Eid “al-Fitr 2025” is likely to fall on Sunday, March 31, 2025, subject to the sighting of the Shawwal 1446 moon. This contrast highlights the importance of local moon sightings in determining “when is el eid” for each community.

Does the Eid Date Vary by Country? Here’s Why

Because of the reliance on moon sighting, Eid al-Fitr can differ from nation to nation and even from community to community within a nation. Local moon sightings could be the reason why some locations declare the start of Eid while others depend on announcements made by the majority of Islamic states or neighboring countries.

Differences in practice normally lead to differences in “when is El Eid” celebrations across the world.  

Why Do Muslims Around the World Celebrate Eid on Different Days?

Eid celebrations also differ in various parts of the world, which makes most wonder, “when is el eid?” annually. The disparity of dates comes largely from differences in moon sighting approaches, locations on Earth, and religious understanding.

Because the Islamic calendar uses the lunar cycle, the beginning of Eid would vary based on whether the new moon has been spotted, which varies from nation to nation.

The Role of Moon Sighting in Determining When Is El Eid

Islamic months begin with crescent moon sighting (Hilal). Since moon visibility is affected by atmospheric conditions, geographical location, and even differences in moon sighting procedures, some countries may announce Eid one day earlier or after other countries.

Such divergence is responsible for the frequent question, “when is el eid?” because different communities await formal notification from their respective religious leaders.

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Differences in Moon Sighting Criteria

Muslim groups and scholars across the globe use different approaches to rectifying the beginning of Islamic months, including:

Local Moon Sighting: Several countries do not need physical observations of the new moon within their region before announcing Eid begins.

Global Moon Sighting: Others permit verified observations somewhere in the world, leading to uniformity in celebrating Eid across regions.

Astronomical Computations: Some of the Islamic leaders utilize scientific data and computation to determine the onset of the new month rather than direct moon observations.

These different methods have a tendency to make Muslims celebrate Eid on different days, which results in the yearly query, “when is el eid?”

Geographical Differences and Time Zones

Time zones and the curvature of the Earth also affect the viewability of the moon. In certain areas, a new moon might be observable but not in others according to different sunset times and atmospheric conditions.

This geography has the effect that some countries will begin Eid sooner than other countries, once again a cause of when is el eid.

Best Ways to Accurately Determine the Date of Eid al-Fitr

All Muslims ask themselves, “When is El Eid?” annually because the date of Eid al-Fitr depends on the sighting of the new moon.

Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, various ways have been developed to identify the day with accuracy. The most effective ways of determining the date of Eid al-Fitr are outlined below.

1. Traditional Moon Sighting (Hilal Sighting)

The most widely followed procedure is the naked-eye observation of the crescent moon (Hilal). Muslim scientists and delegated committees observe the horizon at sunset on the 29th day of Ramadan.

When the moon becomes visible, Eid al-Fitr is proclaimed the next day; if not, Ramadan continues for another 30 days, and then Eid follows. This method leads to the popular question, “When is El Eid?” since visibility can vary with weather and location.

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2. Astronomical Calculations

The majority of Islamic institutions utilize scientific calculations in estimating the new moon’s visibility. Astronomical realities can accurately determine whether the moon can be seen across different regions of the globe.

While this method provides accuracy, some scholars opt for actual observation of the moon instead of calculation, resulting in discrepancies regarding when is El Eid among different locations.

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3. Adhering to National or Religious Authorities

The majority of Muslims expect official announcements from the Islamic leaders of their country, such as:

• Grand Muftis
• Religious councils
• Local mosques and Islamic centers
• The leaders announce when it is time to celebrate El Eid depending on moon sighting, calculation, or both.

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Conclusion

These inconsistencies are the result of combining religious, scientific, and geographical determinations. Regional moon sightings on one side are contrasted with sighting reports from the broader international community and astronomically-based means on the other.

There remains a near-universal cohesion because Eid has the effect of bringing together the wider Muslim society at large in spite of the specific date it’s celebrated.

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FAQs

Are there two Eids?

Yes, Islam has two Eids: Eid al-Fitr, the celebration of Ramadan’s conclusion, and Eid al-Adha, the celebration of Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah in the willingness to sacrifice his son.

Is Eid 3 days?

Eid al-Fitr is traditionally celebrated for one to three days, while Eid al-Adha is traditionally celebrated for three to four days.

When Is El Eid?

Eid is expected to be on Sun, Mar 30, 2025.