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Saudi Arabia leads worldwide Eid Al-Fitr celebrations marking end of Ramadan

Eid Al-Fitr, a highlight of the Islamic calendar that marks the culmination of the fasting month of Ramadan, is being celebrated with religious fervor and joy as Saudi Arabia led worldwide celebrations with Eid prayers on Sunday morning. (SPA)
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Updated 30 March 2025
Rashid Hassan
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Saudi Arabia leads worldwide Eid Al-Fitr celebrations marking end of Ramadan

  • King Salman performed Eid Al-Fitr prayer at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah
  • Weeklong celebration ushers in the most festive period in the Islamic calendar
Updated 30 March 2025
Rashid Hassan

RIYADH: Eid Al-Fitr, a highlight of the Islamic calendar that marks the culmination of the fasting month of Ramadan, is being celebrated with religious fervor and joy as Saudi Arabia led worldwide celebrations with Eid prayers on Sunday morning.

Many Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, celebrating Eid Al-Fitr were joined by Muslims in Europe and the US, while several other countries — among them Oman, Jordan, Syria, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia —announced that the holiday will begin on Monday.

The variation, common in the lunar Hijri calendar, is the result of differences in moon sightings that determine the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting and spiritual reflection observed by Muslims worldwide.

Eid Al-Fitr — the annual Islamic celebration that runs for the first five days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Hijri calendar — began on Sunday with early morning Eid prayers, 15 minutes after sunrise in accordance with the Umm Al-Qura calendar.

Anticipating the Eid prayer, worshippers in the pre-dawn hours filled designated prayer halls and mosques prepared in cities, governorates, and villages throughout the Kingdom.

King Salman performed Eid Al-Fitr prayers at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah. Joining him were several princes and senior officials, who conveyed their congratulations on the joyous occasion of Eid, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman performed Eid prayers with worshippers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

Thousands of Muslims filled the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah for the Eid Al-Fitr prayer in an atmosphere of faith, joy, security and tranquility.

The imam of the Grand Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, led the prayer and delivered a sermon, extending his congratulations on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr.

Madinah Governor Prince Salman bin Sultan performed the Eid Al-Fitr prayer at the Prophet’s Mosque with crowds of worshippers on Sunday morning, where the mosque’s imam, Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Al-Buaijan, led the prayer and delivered a sermon.

Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud extended the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to ministry employees on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, and expressed their appreciation to all security sectors for their exceptional efforts and dedication.

Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman was at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah to receive commanders and senior officials from the ministry, while Minister of National Guard Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz was in Jeddah to receive commanders of the ministry along with senior civil and military officials. The ministers conveyed greetings from the king and the crown prince to the officials for their services to the nation.

There were 122,286,712 visitors to the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah during Ramadan, according to the CEO of the General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Ghazi Al-Shahrani.

Al-Shahrani said the number of Umrah performers was 16,558,241, while worshippers totaled 92,132,169 at the Grand Mosque and 30,154,543 at the Prophet’s Mosque.

He expressed his congratulations to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, and also his gratitude to all who contributed to serving the guests of God.

With the Eid Al-Fitr prayer over, worshippers exchanged celebratory greetings.

“The week-long festivity, with the culmination of the fasting month of Ramadan and the beginning of the Eid holidays, has ushered in the most festive celebration in the Islamic calendar as families organize get-together meetings and feasts, and people exchange greetings offering presents and delicacies,” Sara Aldossary, a Riyadh resident, told Arab News.

“The dawn of Eid Al-Fitr in Saudi Arabia is a time of vibrant tradition and heartwarming connection. As worshippers rise between Fajr and Eid prayers, a special atmosphere fills the air, where warm greetings are exchanged, homes are adorned with festive displays, children gleam in new clothing, and Eid gifts are lovingly prepared for awaiting guests. The aroma of traditional dishes mingles with fragrant incense, and colorful decorations create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors on this special occasion,” she added.

“On this biggest festive occasion, we get together with our relatives and friends to enjoy it together. This evening some of my friends are coming to our house for the celebration. We will also visit them the next day and this will continue during the holiday continuing until the next weekend. We exchange greetings, share presents and delicacies. Some families also go out to picnic spots and spend time together,” said Bilal Ahmed, a Jubail resident.

“Eid is a time of joy, gratitude and togetherness with your loved ones. One of the most beloved Eid Al-Fitr customs is exchanging Eid gifts, or Eidiyah, as a sincere way to express gratitude and love to family and friends,” said Alaa Alshammari, a Riyadh resident.

Comprehensive civil and security arrangements are in place for the annual festival to be safely enjoyed.

The capital has been adorned with special decorative arrangements, including banners bearing “Eid Saeed” on main roads in the city greeting passersby.

The Saudi General Entertainment Authority has unveiled a nationwide celebration featuring concerts, theatrical performances, fireworks, and a variety of activities across the Kingdom’s entertainment zones, offering unforgettable experiences for residents and visitors on Eid Al-Fitr.

Musical concerts will take place in Riyadh, Shaqra, Abha, Qassim, Jeddah, and Eastern Region cities, while theatrical productions will take center stage in Riyadh (April 1-19), Jeddah (April 1-6), and Dammam (April 1-3).

Fireworks will illuminate the sky at 9 p.m. in key locations, including Boulevard World in Riyadh, Jeddah Art Promenade, Alkhobar Corniche, and Arruddaf Park in Taif.

Eid celebrations kicked off on Day 1 at Riyadh’s Boulevard City, Boulevard World, VIA Riyadh, and Jeddah Art Promenade, with City Hub in Alkhobar hosting festivities on Day 2, providing diverse and family-friendly entertainment.

Streets in major cities including Riyadh and Jeddah have been decorated with colorful lights to celebrate the annual event.

Topics: Ramadan 2025 Ramadan Saudi Arabia Eid Al-Fitr Eid Al-Fitr 2025

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The secret keepers of desert balance in Saudi Arabia

Updated 27 December 2025
Haifa Alshammari
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The secret keepers of desert balance in Saudi Arabia

  • How the Kingdom’s wildcats control pests, protect public health, and sustain the ecosystem
Updated 27 December 2025
Haifa Alshammari

RIYADH: During the summer of 2024, two desert lynx kittens were born in Taif as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to protect and increase the population of caracals in the country.

Although caracals are critically endangered, wildcats in general play a significant ecological role in the Kingdom. They act as natural pest control, and Saudi Arabia is committed to conserving these species while increasing their populations to support a thriving ecosystem.

Despite the Kingdom’s harsh, arid climate, conditions are suitable for wildcats not only to survive but also to flourish. Among the terrestrial species inhabiting Saudi Arabia are sand cats, Arabian wildcats, and the desert lynx.

Felis margarita, or sand cats, are small — around 40-60 cm — with pale sandy fur that allows them to blend into the desert. They have a broad head, large ears, and long hair on the bottom of their feet to walk on hot sand.

Sand cats have long hair on the bottom of their feet, allowing them to walk on hot sand and prevent them from sinking into the sand. (SPA/Visitsaudi)

“It is small in size and does not mate with other cats. It is the only cat species in the world with hair on the soles of its feet instead of skin to prevent it from sinking into the sand,” said Obaid Alouni, a Saudi environmentalist.

Alouni explained that one defensive technique sand cats use is to lie flat on the ground to avoid detection.
“It lies flat on the ground when it senses danger to avoid being noticed by other animals.”

These cats primarily feed on rodents and small reptiles, occasionally large insects, obtaining their water from their prey. Sand cats are native to West Asia and help regulate rodent and insect populations, preventing outbreaks and reducing disease spread.

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Interestingly, raising sand cats as domestic pets is becoming more popular, Alouni said. But he emphasized that adoption is easier when they are kittens, as they remain wild animals. Although widely distributed across the Kingdom, exact population numbers are difficult to determine due to their elusive nature. They are currently listed as “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Similar to sand cats, Arabian wildcats (Felis lybica) are found across the Arabian Peninsula and play a vital role in environmental health.

“They are wild cats that live independently without human intervention,” Alouni told Arab News.

An Arabian wildcat at Olomouc Zoo in the Czech Republic. (Wikimedia Commons: Michal Maňas)

Arabian wildcats resemble domestic cats but have thicker, sandy to grey-brown coats with faint stripes or spots and ringed tails with blunt tips. Like sand cats, they feed on rodents, birds, reptiles, and insects and are listed as “least concern” by the IUCN.

However, Alouni warned that pure populations of Arabian wildcats in Saudi Arabia could be threatened by hybridization with domestic cats.

“Currently, wild cats face the problem of interbreeding with domestic cats. This weakens their immune systems and makes them more susceptible to diseases from other cats,” he said.

“This contributes to the extinction of the purebred lineage and, consequently, the disappearance of their wild instincts,” he added.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Sand cats are the only cat species with hair on the soles of their feet, allowing them to walk on hot sand without sinking.

• Caracals, locally known as Al-Washaq, are native and endangered, capable of jumping 3 to 4 meters in a single leap.

• Pure populations of the Arabian wildcat are at risk due to hybridization with domestic cats.

While both species are desert dwellers, sand cats are harder to spot as they avoid heavily trafficked areas. They are mainly found in the Ad Dahna desert and the Empty Quarter, where sand dunes dominate the landscape. Arabian wildcats, however, inhabit rocky or mountainous areas such as the Tuwaiq Mountains, valleys, and farms with abundant small prey.

“Wild cats come around towns and villages, and unfortunately, begin mating with domesticated cats that people release outside,” Alouni explained. He stressed the importance of keeping domestic cats away from wildcat habitats, including deserts and camping sites.

The third wildcat species native to Saudi Arabia, the caracal or desert lynx, is critically endangered. “The lynx is classified in size between large and small, and is distinguished by its jump, which can reach 3 meters or even 4 meters in the sky,” Alouni described.

This combination of photos released by the Saudi National Center for Wildlife (NCW) last year shows a female Caracal and its cub at the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Wildlife Research Center in Taif. (SPA file)

Locally known as Al-Washaq, desert lynx have reddish-tan coats, long legs, and black-tufted ears. They feed on birds, rodents, and sometimes small antelopes. Thankfully, these cats are protected under Saudi law due to their critically endangered status.

Hunting any sand cats, Arabian wildcats, or desert lynx can result in fines of approximately $20,000, according to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.
“There is a very severe financial penalty in Saudi Arabia for anyone who hunts it,” Alouni added.

The Kingdom has strict regulations to protect endangered animals, criminalizing not only hunting or killing but also trade. Violators could face penalties of up to $8 million, up to 10 years in prison, or both.

Overall, sand cats, Al-Washaq, and Arabian wildcats are essential to maintaining a healthy environment in Saudi Arabia. By controlling rodent populations, they help prevent outbreaks that could threaten agriculture and public health.
 

 

Topics: Green And Blue wildcats Editor’s Choice

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