Don’t worry, I see you. I see your eyes are already locked on the next target – the Eid Al Adha public holiday! And since it’s happening in June, what better time to pair it with your summer vacation plans? But before you start daydreaming about beach escapes and lazy mornings, I’m sure you’ll want to know exactly how many days off you’re getting, right? And for that, we need to talk about one thing – how many days off will UAE get if Eid Al Adha fall on a weekend?. I’ve got all the answers you’re looking for, so keep reading to find out more.
Also read: Next UAE Public Holiday: Eid Al Adha
Here’s What We Know So Far
The UAE government has already confirmed there will be 4 days off to mark Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha. The break will start on Dhu Al Hijjah 9 (Arafat Day), followed by Dhu Al Hijjah 10-12 for Eid celebrations. According to predictions from the International Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, reflecting these dates on the Gregorian calendar will look like:
- Thursday, June 5 – Arafat Day
- Friday, June 6 – Eid Al Adha (Day 1)
- Saturday, June 7 – Eid Al Adha (Day 2) (Weekend)
- Sunday, June 8 – Eid Al Adha (Day 3) (Weekend)
Keep in mind, the official dates will only be confirmed after the moon sighting. But this prediction is likely to be spot on – or just a day or two off at most. So, it’s safe enough to start penciling those plans into your calendar. But if the question looming on your mind is “Will there be a longer public holiday since Eid falls on a weekend?” Here’s the information you need to know.
But What If Eid Falls An A Weekend?
As we all know, Saturday and Sunday are already weekend days for most people in the UAE. So what does it mean for us that the public holiday overlaps with them? Well, here’s the catch. The UAE public holiday law was updated earlier last year to say that some holidays can be shifted to create a longer weekend if they fall on a Saturday or Sunday. However, this is one ginormous exception to this rule. Eid holidays are not allowed to shift over. Which means days Eid Al Adha falls on the weekend, will not translate into an extra 2 days off during the week. Eid holidays are tightly locked in, no shifting public holiday dates around.
But Can We Still Hope For More Days Off?
While Eid Al Adha won’t be extended, there’s still some good news. Other holidays like Islamic New Year, the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH), or UAE National Day can be moved if they fall on a weekend. Plus, each emirate has the freedom to declare its own extra public holidays if it feels like celebrating something special. So who knows? Dubai might surprise us someday with an extra day off for something completely new in the future.
Hack Your Way To 9-Days Off For This Eid Al Adha
Now, I know you may be disappointed by the news but there’s still another way… If you’re craving a real break, and I’m talking more than just 4 days, I’ve got a little trick up my sleeve that might save your day. With a bit of clever planning and a few strategic leave days, you could stretch this 4-day weekend into a dreamy 9-day holiday. Yep, that’s a full-on summer escape right there. Want to know how? All you have to do is click the link below and find out!
You may also like: How To Score 9 Days Off For The Next UAE Public Holiday Using Just 3 Days Of PTO
