Tech Desk 
Mar 26, 2025
An undated image. — Unsplash
Giving a nod to the prediction made earlier by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has released its forecast for the Shawwal moon sighting.
Based on scientific observations and astronomical estimations, Suparco's prediction for the Shawwal moon's visibility suggests that Eidul Fitr in Pakistan is likely to fall on March 31.
Forecast using precise astronomical models, the Shawwal's new Moon will occur on March 29, 2025, at 15:58 PST.
It should be noted that factors such as the moon’s age, angular separation from the sun, altitude at sunset, and atmospheric conditions will determine the visibility of the Shawwal moon's crescent.
Shawwal moon on 30 March 2025 in Pakistan
- Moon Age at sunset: Approximately 27 hours
- Moon-sun angular Separation: About 16 degrees
- Moon altitude at sunset: Around 14 degrees
- Illumination: 2%
- Crescent visibility probability: The Crescent will be easily visible with the naked eye.
The aforementioned scientific metrics strongly hint at the moon being visible to the naked eye on March 30. If the forecast has anything to go by, this Ramadan will last 29 days, and Eidul Fitr will be celebrated across Pakistan on March 31.
Eidul Fitr 2025 in Saudi Arabia, Middle East
As of the Shawwal moon sighting in Saudi Arabia, the probability is next to nothing for 29 March 2025, as the moon's crescent at the time of sunset in Mecca would be around 5 hours.
As it stands, the Shawwal moon in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East is expected to be visible to the naked eye on 30 March 2025. This indicates that Saudi Arabia will also observe Eidul Fitr on March 31, 2025.
