The government of Iran has officially announced that the holy month of Ramadan will end on Friday, with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr set to begin on Saturday.
According to state television, the office of the Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, confirmed the development following lunar observations. The statement noted that “Friday will be the 30th day of the blessed month of Ramadan,” signaling the completion of the fasting period.
The announcement aligns with that of neighboring Iraq, where the country’s top Shia cleric, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, also declared Saturday as the first day of Eid.
Eid al-Fitr, one of the most significant celebrations in Islam, is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon in line with the Muslim lunar calendar. The festival marks the end of a month-long fast observed by millions of Muslims worldwide.
This year, the conclusion of Ramadan in Iran coincides with Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebrated on the spring equinox, adding cultural significance to the period.
Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, requires adult Muslims to abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn to sunset. The period is also marked by increased devotion, charity, and acts of kindness toward the less privileged.
A statement from the Supreme Leader’s office read: “Tomorrow, Friday, will be the 30th day of the blessed month of Ramadan,” confirming that Eid al-Fitr celebrations will commence the following day.
