Doha – The Muslim community in Spain will officially celebrate Eid Al Fitr, known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, on Sunday, March 30, 2025, following the announcement by the Islamic Commission of Spain that the crescent moon was sighted today, marking the end of Ramadan.
The celebrations, lasting between two and four days, will see Muslims across Spain gathering with family and friends, wearing their finest clothes, and sharing traditional sweets.
Children typically receive gifts during this period, and many families visit cemeteries to honor their deceased loved ones.
The conclusion of Ramadan 2025, which began on March 1, has seen Muslims observing the sawm (fasting) from dawn until sunset.
The Muslim presence in Spain dates to 711 CE and lasted until 1492, when Amazigh Muslim General Tarik ibn-Ziyad, from the Nafza tribe in the Rif (northern Morocco), landed at Gibraltar under the command of Musa ibn Nusair, the governor of North Africa, and established Al-Andalus.
Cordoba, the capital of Umayyad Spain in the 10th century, housed 700 mosques and 70 libraries. The city had 500,000 inhabitants living in 113,000 houses, with paved and lit streets throughout its twenty-one suburbs.
Spain currently hosts a Muslim population of over 2.5 million people, representing 5.32% of the country’s 47 million inhabitants.
Moroccans form a substantial part of this community, with 1.1 million Moroccan residents in Spain. In 2023, 54,027 Moroccans received Spanish nationality, adding to the 237,000 Moroccan nationals who obtained citizenship since 2018.
During Ramadan, Muslims observe sawm, one of the five pillars of Islam. The daily fast breaks at sunset with iftar, often beginning with dates and water.
The practice requires abstaining from food and drink from dawn until dusk, while also avoiding negative thoughts and actions.
The Islamic Commission of Spain determines the exact dates of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr each year through moon sighting. Muslims use online platforms or consult local mosques to verify precise prayer and fasting times for their cities.