The United Arab Emirates has officially declared the Eid Al Fitr holiday schedule for government employees, offering a well-deserved break to mark the end of Ramadan. According to the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, the public sector holiday will begin on Shawwal 1 and conclude on Shawwal 3 of the Islamic calendar year 1446 AH. Regular work will resume on Shawwal 4.
With the Islamic calendar months varying between 29 and 30 days, the exact holiday duration depends on the sighting of the crescent moon. The moon sighting committee will meet on March 29 to determine whether Ramadan will last for 29 or 30 days.
If the crescent moon is spotted on March 29, Eid Al Fitr will be observed on Sunday, March 30. In this scenario, government employees will enjoy a three-day Eid holiday until April 1. Since March 29 falls on a Saturday, which is already a weekend for many, the total break will extend to four days, from March 29 to April 1.
On the other hand, if Ramadan lasts 30 days, the first day of Eid will be on Monday, March 31, leading to a three-day holiday from March 31 to April 2. This will result in an extended five-day weekend for many, spanning from March 29 to April 2.
Public sector employees in Sharjah, where Fridays are also part of the weekend, stand to benefit the most. If Eid falls on March 30, they will enjoy a five-day break from Friday, March 28, to Tuesday, April 1. However, if Eid begins on March 31, they will receive an extended six-day holiday, running from Friday, March 28, to Wednesday, April 2.
With the possibility of an extended break, residents across the UAE can look forward to celebrating Eid with family, relaxation, and travel opportunities.