UAE residents are gearing up for their first extended holiday of the year, as Eid Al Fitr is expected to bring a four or five-day break, depending on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon.
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, and as per Islamic tradition, the official holiday dates depend on whether Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days. The UAE's moon-sighting committee will convene on Saturday, 29 March, to determine the official start of Shawwal, the month following Ramadan.
If the moon is sighted on 29 March, Ramadan will end at 29 days, and the Eid break will be from Sunday, 30 March, to Tuesday, 1 April, making it a four-day holiday including the preceding Saturday.
If the moon is not sighted on 29 March, Ramadan will last 30 days and Eid Al Fitr will be on Monday, 31 March, and residents will get a five-day break from Saturday until Wednesday, 2 April.
While astronomical predictions suggest a five-day break, the official Eid Al Fitr holiday is expected to be announced by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee on 29 March.
The Emirates Astronomical Society had also predicted when some of the other public holidays may fall:
- Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha (7 to 10 June, based on moon sighting. 4 days in total)
- Hijri New Year (25 or 26 June. One day)
- Prophet Muhammed's (PBUH) birthday (somewhere between 5 and 10 September, depending on moon sighting. One day.).
- National Day (2 and 3 December. Two days)