Eid Al Fitr In UAE: Will It Be A 6-Day Or A 9-Day Break?
After a month of fasting during the Holy Month Of Ramadan, the Arab world will celebrate Eid Al Fitr next week. Along with the festival comes the longest holiday of the year, and for private sector employees, its duration depends on when the Moon is sighted.
The International Astronomical Center stated last week that some countries that marked the beginning of Ramadan on Monday, March 11, expect a crescent sighting on Monday, April 8. However, this sighting might be unclear due to the moon setting before the sun, leading to a conjunction occurring after sunset.
The UAE private sector is set to enjoy an extended holiday in celebration of Eid Al Fitr 2024, as announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). The holiday period will commence on Monday, April 8, corresponding to 29 Ramadan, and will extend until Shawwal 3, the exact dates of which will be confirmed closer to the time based on the lunar calendar.
This announcement follows closely on the heels of the declaration for the public sector by the UAE Cabinet, which has outlined a one-week holiday from April 8 to April 14, 2024, with work resuming on Monday, April 15. This marks a nine-day long weekend for federal government employees.
The duration of the holiday for the private sector hinges on the lunar observations that determine the length of Ramadan — either 29 or 30 days. If Ramadan spans 29 days, employees will relish a six-day break from April 8 to April 11. Conversely, a 30-day Ramadan will extend the holiday until April 12, providing a nine-day hiatus for those with a Saturday-Sunday weekend.
Eid Al Fitr, also known as the 'Festival of Breaking of the Fast’, is a pivotal celebration in the Islamic calendar, marking the conclusion of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims around the globe. As one of the five pillars of Islam, fasting during Ramadan is a time for spiritual growth, purification, and devotion, emphasizing community and faith.
As the UAE prepares for this significant festival, the actual holiday dates are subject to the sighting of the moon, a practice that aligns with the Islamic lunar calendar. This traditional method ensures that the commencement of Eid Al Fitr is observed uniformly across the Muslim world. The MoHRE and UAE officials will provide confirmation of the specific Gregorian dates as the holiday approaches, based on the lunar calendar’s indications.
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