The official Eid Al Adha holidays for public sector employees in the UAE have been announced by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.
The holidays will begin from 9 to 12 Zul Hijjah. According to the Gregorian calendar, Eid Al Adha will likely be celebrated from June 27th to July 2nd 2023, which includes the weekend.
The confirmed dates for Eid Al Adha will be announced once the Zul Hijjah moon is sighted.
In the UAE, residents can expect either five- or six-days holiday, depending on the sighting of the Moon, which determines the beginning and end of Islamic Hijri calendar months.
Eid al-Adha is one of two Eids, or days of celebration for Muslims worldwide, in a year. It coincides with the completion of the Hajj, which millions of people partake in every year.
Islamic scripture tells how Allah commanded Ibrahim – known as Abraham to Christians and Jews – to sacrifice his son Ismail as a test of his devotion. Despite his love for the boy, Ibrahim duly prepared to carry out Allah’s command.
However, at the last moment, Allah tells Ibrahim to spare the child and sacrifice something else instead. In remembrance of Ibrahim’s willingness to submit himself to the divine will, Muslim families traditionally sacrifice an animal during Eid al-Adha.