Mashable: The next break will be in the second week of June

As UAE residents return to their regular working routine today after the longest holiday break of the year, the question arises – When will we get the next long weekend this year?

After enjoying a month of reduced work hours during the holy month of Ramadan and a 9-day break for the Islamic festival of Eid Al-Fitr, the next break is just weeks away.

The United Arab Emirates will most likely observe an extended weekend to mark Arafah Day, the holiest day in Islam, and the Eid Al-Adha festival, which will fall in the second week of June.

According to the Khaleej Times, Sheikh Ayaz Houzee, Imam of NGS and Khateeb at Al Manar Islamic Centre revealed that as per the Islamic calendar’s lunar-based system, the Eid Al-Adha festival falls approximately two months after Eid Al-Fitr.

“Due to the Islamic calendar’s reliance on the lunar cycle, it sees shifts in the dates of both Eid festivals each year, advancing approximately 10 to 11 days earlier annually,” he said.

UAE residents are expected to celebrate a five-day holiday break for the upcoming Eid Al-Adha 1445 AH-2024. However, the exact holiday dates will be announced closer to the festival.

17 يونيو المُقبل.. أول أيام #عيد_الأضحى فلكياً. #برق_الإمارات pic.twitter.com/7IwFwBkBY2 — برق الإمارات (@UAE_BARQ) April 13, 2024
June 17... First day of #Eid_al_Adha, astronomically.#UAE_BARQ_EN pic.twitter.com/RwGAh9tPUi — UAE BARQ (@UAE_BARQ_EN) April 13, 2024
All Islamic/ Hijri calendar months last 29 or 30 days and depend on the crescent Moon sighting. Arafah Day falls on Dhul Hijjah 9 in the Hijri calendar whereas, Eid Al Adha is celebrated after that over the three days.

The Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH/2024 is expected to begin on Friday, June 8, 2024, in the Gulf countries.

According to Khadijah Ahmad, operations manager of Dubai Astronomy Group, the Astronomical calculations predict the same date. So, Arafah Day will fall on Sunday, June 16. Eid Al-Adha will be celebrated on Monday, June 17.

The holiday break, therefore, will begin on Sunday, June 16, till Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Including the weekend day – Saturday, June 15, 2024, residents will get five days off to mark the Islamic festival.