The Sharjah Centre for Space and Astronomy predicted that the first day of Eid Al Adha will fall on August 22, giving employees in the UAE a possible five-day long weekend.
In a statement released to media company, 24, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Deputy Director of the Sharjah Centre for Space and Astronomy explained that astronomical calculations show that August 12, Sunday, will be the 30th of Zhil Qi’da which means August 13 will be the first day of Zhil Hijjah.
Arafat Day, which historically marks the first day of the Eid Al Adha holiday, happens on the ninth day of Zhil Hijjah which will fall on August 21, Tuesday. This means that Eid Al Adha will fall on the next day, August 22, Wednesday.
If it happens, workers in the UAE will enjoy a five-day long weekend as the UAE government has previously announced a one-day holiday in celebration of Arafat Day and three-day holiday for Eid Al Adha.
The possible 5-day long weekend might start from Tuesday (August 21) to Saturday (August 25).
“The below dates are tentative dates* only – subject to moon sighting – and should not be considered as an official announcement; public holidays are announced, by official authorities, once confirmed,” the announcement read.
| Occasion | Gregorian Year | Hijri Year | Holiday Duration |
| New Year | 1 January | 1 | |
| Israa & Miaraj Night* | 13 April | 27 Rajab | 1 |
| Ramadan | 17 May | 1 Ramadan | – |
| Eid Al Fitr | 15 June | 1 Shawwal | 3 |
| Hajj season* | 12 August | 1 Dhu Al-Hijjah | – |
| Arafat Day* | 21 August | 9 Dhu Al-Hijjah | 1 |
| Eid Al Adha* | 22 August | 10 Dhu Al-Hijjah | 3 |
| Hijri New Year’s Day* | 11 September | 1 Muharram 1440 | 1 |
| Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday* | 19 November | 12 Rabi’ Al-Awwal | 1 |
| Martyr’s Day | 30 November | 1 | |
| UAE National Day | 2 and 3 December | 2 |
NOTE: Dates of occasions with asterisks are subject to change. Workers are still advised to wait for official announcement of holidays from the UAE government.
