The UAE is gearing up for its longest public holiday of the year, anticipated to last up to nine days in April, in celebration of the Islamic festival Eid Al Fitr. This festival follows the conclusion of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. Both private and public sector employees can look forward to a substantial break without dipping into their annual 30-day leave allowance.
The start of Ramadan was officially declared on March 11, after the crescent Moon was sighted on the evening of March 10, diverging from astronomical predictions. Ramadan may last 29 or 30 days, contingent on the Moon’s sighting, with Eid Al Fitr celebrated on the first of Shawwal, the subsequent month.
The UAE government has announced a holiday schedule that grants residents a break from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3. The duration of the holiday hinges on the length of Ramadan, offering two scenarios: a nine-day break if Ramadan encompasses 30 days, starting from Saturday, April 6, to Sunday, April 14; or a six-day hiatus, including the weekend, if Ramadan spans 29 days, from Saturday, April 6, to Thursday, April 11.
This extended Eid break is the second public holiday of the year, following the New Year’s Day holiday. Subsequent holidays include Eid Al Adha in June, Islamic New Year in July, Prophet Muhammad’s birthday in September, and the UAE National Day on December 2 and 3.