UAE Residents Can Expect Up to 9 Eid Al-Fitr Holidays

Residents in the UAE are eagerly awaiting the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr Holiday, which is expected to be the longest public holiday of the year, likely to span up to nine days in April. This holiday marks the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr, which follows the conclusion of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Both private and public sector employees can look forward to this extended break without needing to use their 30-day annual leave allowance.

The commencement of Ramadan was signaled in the UAE by the sighting of the crescent moon on March 10, with fasting beginning the following day. The duration of Ramadan, lasting either 29 or 30 days, determines the date of Eid Al-Fitr, celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the month immediately following Ramadan.

As per the holiday schedule released by the UAE government, residents will enjoy a break from Ramadan 29 until Shawwal 3 to observe Eid Al-Fitr. Depending on whether Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days, Eid Al-Fitr will fall on either April 9 or April 10, respectively. Consequently, the holiday period will vary slightly based on the duration of Ramadan. If Ramadan extends to 30 days, the Eid Al-Fitr Holiday will span from April 8 to April 12, offering nine consecutive days off when including the preceding and succeeding weekends. Conversely, if Ramadan concludes after 29 days, the break will encompass April 8 to April 11, providing six days off in total, inclusive of the weekend before the holiday.

Following the Eid Al-Fitr Holiday, the next significant public holiday in the UAE will be Eid Al Adha in June, offering residents four days off, excluding the weekend. Subsequent public holidays include Islamic New Year in July, Prophet Muhammad’s birthday in September, and the UAE National Day on December 2 and 3.

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