Daydreaming about your next holiday? (We hear you.)
Well, make note of these dates because a six-day public holiday could be on the cards for UAE residents.
Looking for awesome things to do over Eid Al Adha? Click here for our mega list of day trips.
Dates are subject to the sighting of the moon but it’s expected that Arafat Day will fall on Monday July 19, with Eid Al Adha due to be announced a day later on Tuesday July 20.
#UAE announces holidays for public, private sector for 2021-2022.#UAE_BARQ_EN pic.twitter.com/vq7Aoy2RGQ
— UAE BARQ (@UAE_BARQ_EN) December 19, 2020
In short, if the moon sighting is in our favour that will create a six-day holiday for those who work from Sunday to Thursday. Fingers crossed.
What is Arafat Day?
Arafat Day is the second day of the annual hajj, known as the pilgrimage, and takes place the day before the start of Eid Al Adha.
What is Eid Al Adha?
Translating to “feast of the sacrifice”, Eid Al Adha is the latter of the two biggest Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year and it begins on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijjah.
Thinking further ahead?
As announced by the UAE Cabinet (but subject to change), the remaining public holidays in the UAE for 2021 are as follows:
Thursday August 12 – Islamic New Year
Thursday October 21 – Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday
Wednesday December 1 – Commemoration Day
Thursday December 2-Friday December 3 – UAE National Day
The 2022 dates have also been announced, and include:
January 1: New Year
29 Ramadan to 3 Shawwal: Eid Al Fitr (Expected to be May 1)
9 Zul Hijjah: Arafat Day (Expected to be July 8)
10,11,12 Zul Hijjah: Eid Al-Adha (Expected to be July 9)
July 30: Islamic New Year
October 8: Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday
December 1: Commemoration Day
December 2-3: UAE National Day
For your up-to-the-minute guide to what’s happening in Dubai, head here. For Abu Dhabi click here, for Sharjah click here.
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