UAE announces private sector holidays for Eid Al Adha 2023

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) in the UAE on Monday has officially announced Eid Al Adha holidays for private sector employees in the country.

The ministry announced that the holiday for Eid Al Adha for the private sector in the country will start on 9th Dhu Al Hijjah (Day of Arafat), corresponding Tuesday,  June 27, and will end on Friday, June 30. Work will resume on Monday, July 3.

This follows a previous announcement by the UAE Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, stating that Eid Al Adha holidays for ministries and federal entities will also be from 9 to 12 Dhu Al Hijjah 1444 AH, consistent with dates in the Gregorian calendar.

The decision was issued based on the Cabinet Resolution regarding the approved public holidays calendar for 2023 in public and private sectors.

The International Astronomical Centre on Sunday announced the list of countries that have declared the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah.

The Dhu Al Hijjah crescent moon has been sighted on Sunday evening in Saudi Arabia. It means Eid Al Adha 2023 will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 28, as it traditionally falls on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijjah. Accordingly, Arafat Day, which is observed on the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijjah, will occur on Tuesday, June 27.

In most Islamic countries, the first day of Eid Al Adha will be observed on Wednesday, June 28. However, in Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia, it will fall on Thursday, June 29. Depending on the results of the moon sighting, it is expected that Thursday, June 29 will also be observed as the first day of Eid in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.

The sighting of the moon marks the beginning of the Dhu Al Hijjah Islamic month in which the Hajj pilgrimage is performed followed by Eid Al Adha. The first day of Eid Al Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijjah. Arafat Day falls on the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijjah. One of the five pillars of Islam, Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every Muslim must make at least once in their lifetime if they are able to.

Significance of Eid Al Adha

Muslims performs the annual Hajj pilgrimage during the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijjah which culminates in celebrating Eid Al Adha on the 10th day of Hajj rituals.

Eid Al Adha or the 'Feast of Sacrifice, is celebrated throughout the Muslim world as a commemoration of Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice everything for God.

The festival falls on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar.

Eid Al Adha is a time of celebration where Muslims gather for prayers at the mosque, visit family and friends, exchange gifts, and enjoy feasts. It's a time of charitable acts, remembrance, and community. However, the exact practices can vary from country to country.