Get ready for a long weekend to celebrate the most important holiday for Muslims around the world, an enriching experience in the United Arab Emirates.
The festivities take place approximately two months and a few days after Eid Al-Fitr (the Eid that comes the day after the last day of the holy month of Ramadan), according to the Islamic lunar calendar.
After a month of reduced working hours during Ramadan, followed by a 9-day break to mark Eid Al-Fitr, UAE residents have returned to their usual routines. Although the longest holiday of the year is over, the next extended rest period - probably five days long - is fast approaching.
A 5-day weekend in Dubai?
UAE residents will probably be able to enjoy a long weekend to celebrate the holiest day in Islam, Arafat Day, and the Eid Al-Adha holiday. This break will take place during the second week of June. The exact dates of Eid al-Adha will be announced as the event approaches, according to Sheikh Ayaz Houzee, imam of NGS and khateeb at Al Manar Islamic Centre, highlighting the importance of this holiday in the Emirates.
Eid Al-Adha takes place approximately two months and a few days after Eid Al-Fitr, according to the Islamic lunar calendar, making this an ideal time to visit the United Arab Emirates and discover its traditions. “Because the Islamic calendar depends on the lunar cycle, the dates of the two Eid holidays change every year, moving approximately 10 to 11 days earlier each year,” explained Sheikh Ayaz.
All months of the Islamic Hijri calendar last 29 or 30 days, depending on the observation of the crescent moon in the night sky, an astronomical phenomenon that is closely monitored with particular interest in the United Arab Emirates. Arafat Day falls on 9 Dhul-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar. Eid Al-Adha is celebrated during the three days that follow.
Probable dates for the Eid break
According to the Hijri calendar published on the website of Dubai’s Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (IACAD), 1 Dhul-Hijjah is expected to fall on Saturday, June 8. Astronomical calculations predict the same date, according to Khadijah Ahmad, director of operations at the Dubai Astronomy Group.
If this is confirmed, Arafat Day will be Sunday, June 16 (9 Dhul-Hijjah). Eid Al-Adha will then be Monday, June 17 (10 Dhul-Hijjah), an ideal time to discover how this holiday is celebrated in the United Arab Emirates. Thus, the break will run from Sunday, June 16, to Wednesday, June 19. Including the weekend (Saturday, June 15), this makes five days off to mark the holiday. These dates will be revised if necessary based on moon sightings.
Importance of Eid Al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the most important celebrations for Muslims around the world, particularly in the United Arab Emirates. This holiday commemorates the ultimate act of faith and obedience by the prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), who was willing to sacrifice his son in response to Allah’s command.
This holiday, Eid al-Adha, is particularly important because it highlights the core values of Islam: faith, sacrifice, and compassion, values that are enthusiastically celebrated in the Emirates. Eid al-Adha begins with a special prayer in mosques, where Muslims gather to ask for blessings and spiritual guidance.
After the prayer, worshippers exchange warm greetings, embrace one another, and share moments of joy and gratitude. Eid al-Adha is also marked by the preparation of lavish meals, symbolizing the abundance and generosity of divine blessings, a deeply rooted tradition in the United Arab Emirates.
The central moment of the celebration is Qurbani, the act of sacrificing an animal. This act recalls the devotion of the prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to Allah. The meat of the sacrificed animal is then divided into three portions: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for less fortunate members of the community, highlighting the spirit of sharing and generosity in the Emirates.
Thus, Eid al-Adha is not only a religious holiday, but also a reminder of the essential values of sharing, charity, and solidarity at the heart of the Islamic faith.
Merritt Group
