Dubai government is the most recent Emirate to authorise a nine-day Eid Al Fitr holiday for federal government staff.
As per the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, the break will commence on Saturday, April 30, till Sunday, May 8. The official working hours of the federal government staff will resume on Monday, May 9.
Lately, Sharjah also declared that the employees of the public sector would be getting a nine-day break to celebrate the Islamic festival. The break will commence from Saturday, April 30, till Thursday, May 5, as per the Department of Human Resources in Sharjah. Residents will be given an off for nine days.
Eid Al Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the month that comes after Ramadan in the Hijri calendar. This year, the festival of Islam is expected to come on May 2, according to the calculations made by the astronomy department.
The Department of Human Resources and Emiratisation in Sharjah had recently declared that private sector staff would be getting paid holiday from Ramadan 29 till Shawwal 3.
Eid Al Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan, but the exact date relies on the sighting of the Moon. The holy month stays for 29 or 30 days, depending on when the new crescent will be seen.
Eid Al Fitr is the occasion that marks the end of Ramadan and the completion of the month-long fasts.
Practices differ around the world but generally include:
- Morning prayers.
- Visiting family and friends.
- Public holidays.
- New clothing and henna.
- Gifts and charity donations.