The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra: The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, has declared Monday, March 31, 2025, as the official day to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr in Ghana.

This follows the inability to sight the Shawwal crescent moon in Ghana, which would have signified the end of the Ramadan fast.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, the spokesperson, Sheikh Armeyaw Shuaib, said the Office of the Chief Imam and other stakeholders were unable to get authentic information on local sightings of the moon.

“Having done our work contacting all the 16 regions of our country and indeed contacting certain imams within certain districts, no information has been received that the moon has been sighted,” he said.

He indicated that it was in that regard that Ghanaian Muslims are expected to fast tomorrow, on Sunday, to complete the 30-day fasting period.

Eid prayers are to be observed by all regional, district and institutional imams on Monday.

Sheikh Sharubutu advised Ghanaians to show gratitude to Allah by sustaining the peace and religious harmony that exists in the country.

In a statement released earlier, the office announced that Saturday, March 30, had been designated for the search of the crescent moon that will automatically signify the end of the Ramadan fast.

The sighting of the crescent on the 29th day of Ramadan was to initiate the 10th Islamic month of Shawwal.

“If the new moon is sighted on this day, then the 1st of Shawwal shall be on Sunday, 30th of March, 2025, which will be the day to celebrate Eid-Fitr here in Ghana.

“But if NOT sighted on that day, Ramadan will be 30 days on Sunday, March 30, 2025, and Eid-Fitr will be celebrated on Monday, March 31, 2025,” the statement highlighted.

The statement signed by the Executive Secretary, Alhaji Awaisu Salisu Bio, also directed all regional imams to ensure that the sighting was done locally.

It would be recalled that the government had declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, as public holidays for the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.

The declaration was by an Executive Instrument (E.I.), in accordance with Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act (Act 601).

This is the first time Muslims in Ghana have been granted a two-day holiday for the celebration of Eid.

Despite being the second dominant religion in the country, it was not until 1995 that Muslims in Ghana were granted public holidays to celebrate their festivities.