Eid Al Adha 2024: When is the next public holiday?

The UAE will mark its next public holiday in a month’s time with the upcoming Eid Al Adha festival.

Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is a major Islamic holiday celebrated worldwide.

It marks the culmination of the Hajj (pilgrimage) rites at Mina, Saudi Arabia, near Mecca, but is observed by Muslims globally.

The holiday involves communal prayer (ṣalāt) at daybreak on its first day, which falls on the 10th day of Dhū al-Ḥijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.

Eid al-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. It is a time for Muslims to perform acts of charity, sacrifice animals, typically sheep, and gather with family and friends for celebration and gift-giving.

What are the tentative dates for Eid al-Adha this year?

According to various astronomical calculations, Eid al-Adha is expected to occur on or around Sunday, June 16 or Monday, June 17.

However, the exact date may vary depending on the sighting of the moon.

The Day of Arafat, which precedes Eid al-Adha, is anticipated to be observed on June 15.

Public holidays for Eid al-Adha are tentatively slated for Monday, June 17 to Wednesday, June 19, subject to confirmation based on moon sighting.

#UAE_Cabinet approves official holidays calendar for government and private sectors for year 2024 pic.twitter.com/HHtIQawNy8

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) November 21, 2023

Will Eid al-Adha holiday result in a long weekend?

For those with a Saturday and Sunday weekend, Eid al-Adha will likely provide a five-day break, with work resuming on Thursday, June 20.

UAE residents can anticipate a public holiday from Monday, June 17 to Wednesday, June 19.

Taking advantage of this extended break, individuals may opt to extend their holiday further by taking Thursday, June 20, and Friday, June 21, off, providing a total of nine consecutive days of holiday.

However, it’s important to note that the confirmation of holiday dates hinges on the sighting of the moon.

Read: UAE holiday calendar for 2024: When is the next paid leave?