Eid-al-Fitr 2025 LIVE: UK, Saudi Arabia and Morocco moonsighting updates and announcements

After weeks of observing Ramadan, millions across the globe will be finding out when celebrations to mark the end of the holy month will begin. Also known as the 'festival of breaking the fast' Eid-al-Fitr is the festival held once Ramadan is complete.

It is commemorated with prayer, gift giving and sharing huge feasts with family and friends. Eid arrives after 30 days which has seen practising Muslims abstain from eating or drinking from sunset to sundown.

The date of Eid is determined by the sighting of the crescent of a new moon. Worshippers in the UK follow the moon sightings in Saudi Arabia and Morocco because Islamic law states that if you are unable to see the moon in your country then you must follow the sighting of the closest Muslim nation.

Early forecasters have predicted that Eid will fall on Sunday, March 30, with there being a possibility that Eid will take place on Monday, March 31.

Over the years however, there have been calls for UK Muslims to follow a moonsighting from local groups. This growing divide was seen earlier this month with a 'split start' start to Ramadan after worshippers began fasting on different days depending on which moonsighting report their mosque or sect followed.

As one of the special 'Eid' holidays, Eid al-Fitr holds massive importance in Islam and is seen as a very special day. Because of this, Eid is marked by a very specific type of prayer generally performed in a large hall or a field - in Manchester, the largest prayer will be held at Platt Fields park in Fallowfield.

Eid prayers are also unique in that they are one of the only prayers that are religiously required to be performed in a congregation, stressing the importance of the Islamic community coming together to