Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the two main holidays celebrated in Islam every year. Eid al-Fitr takes place after Ramadan, marking the end of the Holy month with festivities and bringing together people to reflect on the month that’s passed. A few months after, Eid-al Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, celebrates giving and commemorates Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) readiness to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Both Eid celebrations are marked as public holidays, and both private and public sector workers often receive multiple days off work, giving time to spend with loved ones and also explore the world on a long-weekend break. With Eid al-Adha right around the corner, the UAE, along with other Gulf nations, could be in for a six-day long weekend. So when is Eid al-Adha 2023?
When is Eid al-Adha 2023?
Offering a much-desired long weekend, Eid al-Adha 2023 could come with a six-day long weekend. As per The National, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of Emirates Astronomy Society, has predicted the public holiday will stretch from Tuesday 27 June to Friday 30 June, giving those who work from Monday to Friday a six-day long weekend. Dhul Hijjah – the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar – is set to start on Monday 19 June, and Eid al-Adha corresponds with Dhul Hijjah 10 to 12.
Despite the predictions, official confirmed dates for Eid al-Adha are dependent on the moon sighting and can often be announced just a few days before the predicted holiday. If all is as predicted, UAE workers in both the private and public sectors will be able to get a whole week off work by just taking one day of annual leave – perfect for a summer getaway and to escape the summer heat. Helping UAE residents and citizens travel more freely and efficiently, more countries are now offering visas on arrival or e-visas for UAE residents, with the latest addition to the 14-strong list being Japan.
When is the next public holiday after Eid al-Adha?
Hijri New Year (Islamic New Year): 21 July 2023
Eid al-Adha is the last extended public holiday of the year, but there are still a handful of public holidays for UAE residents to look forward to. Another long weekend will shortly follow Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha, and the next public holiday will be Hijri New Year (Islamic New Year) – falling on Friday 21 July. Those who normally enjoy Saturdays and Sundays off work will be granted a three-day long weekend.
Prophet Muhammed’s (PBUH) birthday: 29 September 2023
Another UAE public holiday is the birthday of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), which is marked on 29 September in 2023. This means another long weekend for UAE citizens and residents in both the private and public sectors.
Commemoration Day and UAE National Day: 1 to 3 December (2 days)
One of the longest public holidays in the UAE is National Day – which comprises three days and can often result in a five-day weekend. The public holiday marks the founding of the United Arab Emirates and celebrates the achievements and feats of the nation since its birth on 2 December 1971. Celebrations begin with Commemoration Day (previously known as Martyrs’ Day) – marked annually on 1 December – which falls on a Friday in 2023, followed by a two-day holiday on 2 and 3 December. In 2023, the 2 and 3 falls on Saturday and Sunday, so this could only mean a three-day weekend for the last public holiday of the year.
