The holy month of Ramadan which began on March 11 for those in the GCC, is expected to last 29-days. Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the board, Emirates Astronomical Society predicted earlier this year, “During the year, it is expected that Eid Al Fitr will be on Wednesday, April 10, 2024…With 29 days of fasting, the month of Ramadan will end on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.”
The breaking of the fast is marked with the festival of Eid al Fitr.
As per the holiday calendar released by the UAE government at the start of 2024, UAE residents will be off from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3 on the Islamic Calendar (Hijri).
Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3 corresponds to Monday, April 8 on the Gregorian calendar, meaning this is the first day of the Eid public holiday.
If Ramadan spans 29 days, the Eid holiday will commence from Monday, April 8 (Ramadan 29) until Thursday, April 11. For individuals with a weekend falling on Saturday and Sunday, this translates to a six-day hiatus, with work recommencing on Friday, April 12.
However, in the event Ramadan extends to 30 days, the Eid break will stretch from Monday, April 8 (Ramadan 29) to Friday, April 12 (Shawwal 3). This grants those with a standard weekend a generous nine-day reprieve, with work resuming on Monday, April 15.
Solar eclipse in April
However, the Eid Al Fitr could also be impacted by the upcoming solar eclipse in April.
Since, Eid Al Fitr is dependent on moon sightings the upcoming solar eclipse in April could influence the celebration of the end of the fasting period.
According to NASA, a total solar eclipse will cross North America on April 8. The eclipse is predicted to begin in the South Pacific and cross the North American continent.
This eclipse is predicted to coincide with the new moon at the end of Ramadan. According to the Emirates Astronomical Association, the birth of the Shawwal (the Islamic month that follows Ramadan) crescent, will coincide with the solar eclipse on April 8, at 10.22 pm Gulf Standard Time.
Shawwal is the 10th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar and the first day is observed as Eid Al Fitr.
The moon won’t be visible in the evening sky on April 8, but is likely to be seen before dawn on April 9 in the region. This means April 10, 2024, would mark the start of Shawwal, Eid Al Fitr, and the new lunar month.
However, the official Eid date depends on the actual spotting of the new moon closer to the end of the month.
Al Jarwan added the total solar eclipse happening in North America won’t be visible in the Arabian Peninsula.
Eid Al Fitr holiday
The UAE government announced public holidays from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3.
According to the Gregorian calendar, this spans from April 9 to April 12 but the new forecast could bring an additional day to the long weekend ensuring a 9-day break for Eid Al Fitr.
