Mosque

Long Eid Al Fitr holidays for UAE public and private sectors

Asia Eid al-Fitr

A nine-day public sector holiday has been announced in the UAE for Eid al-Fitr. A statement posted by the government on Twitter said the break will start on Sunday June 2nd 2019.

Public sector workers who get a Friday and Saturday off will have a break from May 31st – June 8th inclusive. Work will resume on Sunday June 9th 2019.

The statement said: “Following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Cabinet announces Eid Al Fitr holiday for the public sector to start on Sunday 2nd of June, for one week, with work resuming on Sunday 9th of June.”

In a circular issued by Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, in implementation of the UAE cabinet’s decision on setting private sector’s official holidays is that holidays will begin on Monday June 3rd (29 Ramadan) until 3rd of Shawwal – work will resume of 4th of Shawwal. Eid falls on the 1st day of Shawwal which depends on moon-sighting – this will be either June 4th or June 5th.

The apparent difference between the public and private sector holidays is somewhat surprising, given that earlier this year, the UAE Cabinet had announced that both public and private sectors would have the same number of official holidays.

National holidays in United Arab Emirates in 2019

DayDateHolidayComments
TuesdayJan 01New Year’s Day
WednesdayApr 03Israa & Miaraj Night
SundayJun 02Eid Al Fitr HolidayPublic sector
MondayJun 03Eid Al Fitr Holiday
TuesdayJun 04Eid Al FitrEnd of Ramadan
WednesdayJun 05Eid Al Fitr Holiday
ThursdayJun 06Eid Al Fitr Holiday
SaturdayAug 10Afrah Day
SundayAug 11Eid Al AdhaFeast of the Sacrifice
MondayAug 12Eid Al Adha Holiday
TuesdayAug 13Eid Al Adha Holiday
SundaySep 01Hijri New Year’s DayHijri New Year
SaturdayNov 09Prophet Muhammad’s birthday
SundayDec 01Commemoration Day
MondayDec 02National Day
TuesdayDec 03National Day Holiday