UAE grants up to six days off for Eid Al Fitr

The United Arab Emirates government announced Monday that public sector employees will receive up to six days off for Eid Al Fitr, the Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources made the announcement in a statement, the Khaleej Times reported.

The holiday will begin on Shawwal 1 and end on Shawwal 3, 1446 AH, according to the Islamic calendar. Official work is scheduled to resume on Shawwal 4.

The exact timing of the holiday depends on the sighting of the new moon, which will take place on March 29. Islamic months last either 29 or 30 days, determined by the lunar calendar.

If the crescent moon is spotted on March 29, Eid Al Fitr will fall on Sunday, March 30, giving government employees a four-day holiday from March 29 to April 1, as Saturday is already a weekend for most UAE employees.

However, if the moon is not visible on March 29 and Ramadan extends to 30 days, the first day of Shawwal will be Monday, March 31. In this scenario, residents would enjoy a five-day break from March 29 to April 2.

Possible 6 day holiday for some

Government employees in Sharjah, where the public sector observes Friday as part of the weekend, could receive up to six days off. If Eid begins on Monday, March 31, these workers would have a continuous break from Friday, March 28 to Wednesday, April 2.

Eid Al Fitr, one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, is traditionally celebrated with prayer, family gatherings, and festive meals after a month of fasting.

The UAE has not yet announced holiday dates for private sector employees, which are typically aligned with the public sector breaks.