Moon or Saturn? Eid Mubarak from South Korea 2025!
- Manar Aly
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
When Ramadan says goodbye… and Kahk says hi! 🍪
● So… what happened on March 31, 2025?
Well, aside from everyone checking the sky like amateur astronomers, Eid el-Fitr was officially celebrated in South Korea on Monday, March 31, marking the sweet finale of the holy month of Ramadan.
Known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” it’s the time when Muslims around the world celebrate with gratitude, prayer, sweets, and… honestly, probably a nap or two.
In Korea, the vibes were extra special, a mix of Korean hospitality and Islamic traditions, blending into a multicultural, sweet-filled celebration.
● What Happens During Eid?
Besides dressing up like it’s the Met Gala for your grandma’s living room, here’s what goes down:
▪︎ Early morning prayers in congregations at mosques or open fields
▪︎ Giving charity (called Zakat al-Fitr) to support those in need
▪︎ Sharing delicious meals with family, friends, and neighbors (and yes, there’s always that one uncle who brings too much food)
▪︎ Exchanging greetings like:
● Moon or Saturn? Yes. Again.
The moon makes the rules, right? Well… this year, it sparked a celestial debate.
A viral video claimed that Saudi Arabia accidentally confused Saturn for the moon. Yep. Saturn. With the rings. The giant gas planet. So basically, Eid may have started one planet too early. 🌚💫
Meanwhile, Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta insisted that their moon-watching game was 100% accurate. And those who broke their fast based on the wrong date? They’re kindly invited to make up for it later.
☆ Result?
👉 Half the world celebrated Eid on Sunday, March 30, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France, and Turkey.
👉 The rest (including Egypt and South Korea) celebrated on Monday, March 31.
And the rest? Some celebrated twice! Some videos went viral of people who traveled on the last day of Ramadan and ended up celebrating twice in two different countries!
● How’s Eid in South Korea?
You’d be surprised! South Korea might not be a Muslim-majority country, but the Muslim community there is vibrant, diverse, and full of heart!
From local Korean Muslims to international students and expats, many gather at the Seoul Central Mosque in Itaewon for Eid prayers. Some even livestream it for their family back home.
Korean influencers often share their Eid vibes on social media too, making it more visible, relatable, and, let’s be honest, aesthetic AF.
Even Korean embassies in various countries have extended Eid greetings, reflecting South Korea's commitment to fostering diplomatic and cultural ties worldwide.
What’s Cooking? The “Sugar Feast” is Real!
Kahk, Ma'amoul, Qatayef, Luqaimat (Luqmat al-Qadi), Sheer Khurma, Basbousa, Zarda, Baklava, Kunafa, Ghraybeh, Umm Ali, Shahi Tukra, Aish as-Saraya, Halva, Rasgulla, Gulab Jamun...
These delightful treats are all sugary confections, each offering a unique taste and texture that adds to the festive spirit of Eid.
Moon debates aside, Eid was all about joy, unity, and sweet moments shared with even sweeter people.
Let’s do it all again next year… but maybe with one moon, please? 😅🌙
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