UAE's Eid Al Fitr Holiday: Is it a 6 or 9-day Break?

UAE residents will have a long break of up to nine days to celebrate the Islamic festival Eid Al Fitr. The UAE Cabinet announced that federal government employees will have a week-long holiday starting from Monday, April 8, in addition to the regular Saturday-Sunday weekend. However, private sector employees may have a holiday lasting either nine or six days, depending on the sighting of the Moon and the duration of Ramadan.

Here's what you need to know about this year's longest break.

When is Eid Al Fitr 2024?

Eid Al Fitr in 2024 is expected to fall on either April 9 or April 10, depending on the sighting of the crescent Moon. If Ramadan lasts for 30 days, Eid will be on April 10; if Ramadan is 29 days, the festival will be on April 9.

Does the Eid holiday start before the festival?

Yes, the Eid holiday starts before the festival, on Ramadan 29. This corresponds to Monday, April 8, on the Gregorian calendar. The holiday begins on this date regardless of when the Moon is sighted, applying to both private and public sector employees.

Will employees get a 9-day break irrespective of when the Moon is spotted

Yes, government employees will get a 9-day break regardless of when the Moon is sighted. Including the preceding Saturday-Sunday weekend, the holiday for federal government employees spans from Saturday, April 6, to Sunday, April 14. They are scheduled to resume work on Monday, April 15.

For private sector employees, if Ramadan lasts 30 days, the Eid break starts from Monday, April 8 (Ramadan 29) to Friday, April 12 (Shawwal 3), totaling nine days off including the weekend before and after. If Ramadan lasts 29 days, the break is from Monday, April 8 to Thursday, April 11, resulting in a six-day break with the preceding weekend.

Does this mean that Muslims will be fasting during the break?

Yes, if Ramadan lasts for the full 30 days, Muslims will be fasting on the first two days of the break. If it lasts for 29 days, they will observe the fast on the first day of the holiday.

News Source: Khaleej Times