Eid Al Fitr, a major date in the Islamic calendar is coming up, and it could mean a much-needed long weekend for Dubai
Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is expected to fall in March this year and depending on how the moon is sighted, residents could enjoy up to four days off.
Ramadan is forecast to begin around Thursday, February 19, although the exact date will only be confirmed closer tido the time. The holy month lasts either 29 or 30 days, and Eid Al Fitr begins immediately after.
Eid Al Fitr translates to “the festival of breaking the fast” and falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month that follows Ramadan.
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How many days off will we get?
In the UAE, it is usually a 3 day public holiday, with an extra day added if Ramadan lasts 30 days.
That means employees are guaranteed at least three days off, with the possibility of a four-day break, depending on how the lunar calendar plays out.
When could the long weekend happen?
There are a few possible scenarios:
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If Ramadan begins on February 18 and lasts 29 days, Eid Al Fitr could start on Thursday March 19, creating a four-day weekend.
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If Eid begins on Friday March 20, the break would likely run for three days.
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If both Sha’ban and Ramadan last 30 days, Eid would fall on Saturday March 21, also resulting in a three-day holiday.
When will we know for sure?
As always, the official dates depend on moon sightings and will be confirmed by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee closer to the time. While forecasts are based on astronomical calculations, dates can still shift slightly, usually by no more than a day.
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For now, it’s a good excuse to start planning… just in case that four-day weekend comes through
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