The UAE flag is flown above Dubai. ARCHIVE

The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has confirmed that private sector employees will enjoy a paid holiday for Eid Al Fitr from Sunday, March 30, to Tuesday, April 1. With Saturday, March 29, already a weekend for most workers, this means employees will have a four-day break. The holiday could extend to Wednesday, April 2, if Ramadan lasts 30 days instead of 29, according to MOHRE. The exact dates of Eid Al Fitr will be determined by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee on March 29, which marks the 29th night of Ramadan. For the public sector, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) earlier announced a three-day paid holiday, covering the first three days of Shawwal, the Islamic month that follows Ramadan. Depending on moon-sighting, the public sector holiday will either run from March 30 to April 1 or from March 31 to April 2. The exact dates of the holiday will be determined by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee on March 29, the 29th night of Ramadan. Islamic months follow the lunar calendar, meaning they can be either 29 or 30 days long. If the crescent moon is sighted on March 29 (indicating Ramadan will last 29 days), Eid Al Fitr will be on Sunday, March 30. The official public sector holiday will run from March 30 to April 1 (Sunday to Tuesday), giving government workers a four-day break including Saturday. If the crescent moon is not sighted on March 29 (indicating Ramadan will complete 30 days), Eid Al Fitr will fall on Monday, March 31. The public sector holiday will then be from March 31 to April 2 (Monday to Wednesday), extending the break to five days when combined with the preceding weekend. The paid holiday announcement ensures that employees across the UAE can celebrate Eid Al Fitr with their families while enjoying a well-deserved break. ICA/Expat Media
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