As the holy month of Ramadan enters its final stretch, anticipation is building across the globe for Eid-ul-Fitr 2025, the grand festival that marks the end of fasting and spiritual reflection. But just like every year, the big question remains — when will Eid be celebrated?

The answer isn’t a fixed calendar date — it depends on something far more celestial: the sighting of the new crescent moon, which signals the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal.

According to Islamic tradition and astronomical calculations, Eid-ul-Fitr 2025 is expected to fall on either March 30 or 31 in Saudi Arabia, and March 31 or April 1 in India, depending on the visibility of the moon after sunset.

Why does the date vary across countries?

Islamic months are based on the lunar calendar, and the appearance of a young waxing crescent moon is essential to declare the end of Ramadan. As per Islamic Shariah, a new lunar month starts only after the moon is sighted with the naked eye under favorable weather conditions. If the moon isn’t sighted, Ramadan is extended to 30 days.

What does the science say?

This year, the astronomical conjunction — when the moon transitions from invisibility to reappearance — is expected to occur on March 29, 2025, at 16:27 IST. Using the Babylonian Criterion, which requires the crescent to be at least 24 hours old and visible for a minimum of 48 minutes after sunset, predictions have been made across various cities in the Indian subcontinent and Middle East.

Observation teams, relying on astronomy and optical science, will make the final confirmation based on local visibility — making it possible for Eid to be observed on different days in different regions, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK, USA, and India.

A celebration rooted in the moon and unity

Eid-ul-Fitr is much more than a holiday. It is a celebration of unity, generosity, and gratitude observed by Muslims across the world — regardless of borders or backgrounds. From bustling city streets in India to serene deserts of the Middle East, from American suburbs to London’s multicultural neighborhoods, Muslims everywhere eagerly await the crescent moon’s sighting to begin their joyous day of Eid.

So, while the dates may differ slightly, the spirit of Eid remains beautifully shared.

By Mohammad Javed Rasheedi

It was anything but a calm post-match press conference after Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) 50-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Chepauk on Friday. When a journalist raised a pointed question about CSK’s approach being outdated,” the CSK head coach Stephen Fleming didn’t hold back.

In a post match conference, the journalist cited CSK’s slow chase of 156 in the first game and a score of 146 against RCB, asking Fleming if the team’s conservative batting approach was losing relevance in modern T20 cricket. Fleming, visibly annoyed, shot back:

The question that sparked it all?

“In the first game, you chased 156 in almost 20 overs. Today, you scored 146. I know this is your way of playing cricket, but do you think it’s kind of getting outdated?”

That didn’t go well with Fleming. His response? Sharp and direct: “What do you mean by my way of playing? We’ve got firepower all the way through. Just because we don’t swing from ball one… just wait till the end, see who wins. It is a positive brand of cricket. Don’t discount us.”

And when the journalist tried to clarify, Fleming shut it down: “You sort of are. Silly question.”

Chepauk advantage?

Interestingly, the loss was CSK’s first of the IPL 2025 season, and RCB’s first win at Chepauk since 2008. But Fleming says there’s no such thing as home advantage anymore. “We’ve told you for years — we can’t read these wickets. It’s not the Chepauk of old. We’re trying to figure it out every single game,” the CSK head coach admitted.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s surprising take on loss

The CSK skipper believed 170 was a par score and blamed fielding errors for the defeat. “We dropped catches, gave away boundaries. The wicket wasn’t easy to bat on. But it wasn’t a huge loss… just 50 runs,” Gaikwad said.

Wait, just 50 runs?

That comment raised a few eyebrows, especially in the context of T20, where a 50-run margin is quite significant. Fans online were quick to call out the casual tone.

So, is CSK really outdated? Or just warming up the vintage engine?

One loss doesn’t define CSK — but the questions around their approach and consistency may linger. Are they ready to bounce back? Only time (and the next match) will tell. But if you’re planning to question Stephen Fleming again — maybe bring a helmet.

What’s next for CSK?

As they prepare to travel to Guwahati for their next match, Gaikwad said the focus is clear: “We need major improvement in fielding. It’s about turning up mentally strong and fixing the areas we’re lacking in.”

The Kolhapur court on Friday extended the police custody of former journalist Prashant Koratkar till March 30, in connection with his controversial remarks against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Sambhaji Maharaj.

Koratkar was arrested earlier this week by Maharashtra police from Telangana after a phone conversation surfaced online in which he allegedly made derogatory comments and issued threats.

The case stems from a telephonic exchange between Koratkar and Kolhapur-based historian Indrajeet Sawant. The conversation, which Sawant later shared on social media, sparked widespread public outrage. Koratkar has been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for promoting enmity between groups.

During his appearance in Kolhapur court on Friday, tensions flared as a lawyer verbally abused him while he was being escorted out of the court complex. However, police confirmed that no physical altercation took place.

Koratkar had earlier been granted interim protection from arrest until March 1 by Additional Sessions Judge D.V. Kashyap. However, following the interim relief, Kolhapur police moved the Bombay High Court seeking cancellation of the order. The Bombay HC directed the local sessions court to examine the matter.

Subsequently, on March 18, Judge D.V. Kashyap rejected Koratkar’s anticipatory bail plea, leading to his arrest.

The defence argued in court that Koratkar is the sole earning member of his family, and prolonged detention would cause undue hardship. However, the court upheld the prosecution’s request for extended remand to continue investigations.