Eid Al Fitr 2023: Four-day weekend on the cards for UAE

UAE residents can start prepping for an extended weekend due to the upcoming Eid Al Fitr break following Ramadan.

Depending on the sighting of the moon, the Eid break will begin on April 20 or 21. Combined with the UAE’s regular weekend, these dates will give residents a well-deserved four-day break: April 20 to 23.

Confirmed dates will be announced only at the end of Ramadan.

Eid Al Fitr (the festival of breaking the fast) signals the end of the month-long fasts of Ramadan and the first day of Shawwal – the tenth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar. It is one of the significant Muslim celebrations globally and is marked by families and friends sharing gifts and coming together for lavish meals. A special Eid prayer takes place in the morning of Eid Al Fitr, after the regular dawn prayers.

The holy month of Ramadan began on March 23 this year. The UAE’s moon-sighting committee made the announcement on the eve of March 21.

Read: UAE confirms first day of Ramadan 2023

Eid Al Fitr celebrations

In Dubai, a citywide ‘Eid in Dubai’ festival will allow residents to avail of great bargains and sales across prominent malls. It follows the emirate’s ‘Ramadan in Dubai’ festivities featuring iftars and suhoors, Ramadan markets, festive citywide lighting, and retail offers. Both events are curated by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE).

Expo City Dubai’s ‘Hai Ramadan’ fest offers visitors a variety of regional cuisine, live entertainment and a host of activities and workshops for kids and adults.

Abu Dhabi’s ADNEC is hosting a ‘Ramadan and Eid Festival 2023’ from March 27 to April 20. The event will bring guests an exciting combination of traditional food, shopping and games.

From April 5 to 21, Sharjah’s ‘Ramadan Nights 2023’ event will offer shoppers a discount of up to 75 per cent on more than 10,000 products from key brands and retailers. Visitors will have the chance to enjoy major discounts, attractive offers, and great prizes while participating in cultural and artistic programmes and entertainment and sampling a selection of local, Arab, and international delicacies. During the Holy Month, Ramadan Nights 2023 will be open to visitors daily from 5 pm to 1 am and from 3 pm to midnight during Eid Al Fitr.

Reduced working hours for Ramadan

The UAE and other Gulf countries announced reduced working hours for Ramadan for both the public and private sectors.

Government entities are working from 9 am through to 2.30 pm from Monday to Thursday and from 9 am until 12 pm on Fridays during the holy month.

Federal authorities have also implemented flexible working or remote work schedules during the month in line with their specific requirements.

Employees working across the country’s private sector also have a reduction of two working hours per day.

Read: UAE announced reduced working hours

Ramadan around the GCC

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has limited working hours in the kingdom to five hours, starting from 10 am until 3 pm, during Ramadan.

In Oman, official working hours are from 9 am to 2 pm. Private establishments have implemented reduced working hours for Muslim workers, with employees working six hours per day with no more than 30 hours per week.

Qatar declared the official working hours during the month to be five hours a day for city employees.