UAE: Eid Al Fitr Holiday Announced For Private Sector

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) in the UAE on Monday officially declared Eid Al Fitr holidays for employees working in the private sector.

The Ministry has announced that Monday, 29 Ramadan (8 April 2024) to 3 Shawwal (or what is equivalent to it in Gregorian date) will be a paid holiday for all employees in the private sector across the UAE on Eid Al Fitr.

This means, the Eid holiday for the private sector begins on Monday, April 8 (Ramadan 29). If the first day of Eid is on Tuesday, then offices will remain closed till Thursday, April 11.

But if the first day of Eid is on Wednesday, the holiday for the private sector extends till Friday, April 12.

The month of Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon, and Eid Al Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal.

Earlier, it was announced that federal government employees in the UAE will have a one-week holiday for Eid Al Fitr 2024. The holiday will begin on Monday, April 8, and regular working hours will resume on Monday, April 15. For employees who have a holiday on Saturday and Sunday, this would mean a nine-day break, counting Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7.

Eid Al Fitr 2024

According to the International Astronomical Center, some countries that marked the beginning of Ramadan on Monday, March 11, expect a crescent sighting on Monday, April 8. However, this sighting might be unclear due to the moon setting before the sun, leading to a conjunction occurring after sunset.

Meanwhile, countries that started Ramadan on Tuesday, March 12, expect a moon crescent sighting on Tuesday, April 9. The International Astronomical Center states that a sighting will be possible on that day. Therefore, the center expects countries to announce Eid Al Fitr on April 10.

In the UAE, the Emirates Astronomical Society also forecasts Eid to begin on April 10. However, the confirmation will be announced by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee.