Saudi brings forward Eid Al Adha holiday

Saudi Arabia has decided to bring forward the Eid Al-Adha holiday for government workers.

Monarch King Salman confirmed the plans in an announcement late Sunday carried by state-run Saudi Press Agency.

“Based on Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s keenness to facilitate the work of the concerned parties to serve pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah and the holy places, he directed bringing forward Eid al-Adha holiday for this year 1439 H,” the statement read.

“Accordingly, tomorrow, Monday 2/12/1439 H. according to Um Alqura Calender corresponding to 13/8/2018 G, will be the end of official working hours for all employees of the government sector.”

This will mean workers are after today (Monday, August 13). No official end date was announced.

Authorities had previously declared nine days of holiday for workers in the banking, finance and insurance sectors from August 17 to August 26.

Read: Saudi declares Eid Al Adha holiday for certain sectors

Should government workers follow the same timeline they will receive a full 12 days of holiday.

This compares to a week of leave for workers in the UAE public sector.

Read: UAE announces public sector holiday for Eid Al Adha

Eid Al Adha, known as the ‘feast of the sacrifice’, honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son to God. Before he could commit the act, God sent an angel to replace the sacrifice with a sheep.

During Eid, Muslims sacrifice an animal in commemoration of this act and divide it into three parts.

One third is for family, one third is for relatives, friends and neighbours and one third is given to the poor and needy.