As May comes to an end, UAE citizens and residents are awaiting the next major holiday of the year, Eid al-Adha 2025. Eid al-Adha is one of two major religious holidays in the Islamic calendar, the other being Eid al-Fitr, which signifies the completion of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
According to legislation passed by the UAE Cabinet, the public and private sectors will observe Arafat Day on Dhu al-Hijjah 9 and Eid Al Adha from Dhu al-Hijjah 10 to 12, culminating in a total of 4 days off.
When will the holiday fall?
The Emirates Astronomy Society says the crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah is expected to be visible on the morning of May 27. If the crescent moon is sighted, Wednesday, May 28, will mark the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah.
In this case, Eid al-Adha 2025 in the UAE will fall on Friday, June 6, and Arafat Day will take place a day ahead, on June 5.
Noting that UAE residents get a 4-day holiday, a moon sighting on May 27 means that the holiday would extend from Thursday, June 5, until Sunday, June 8, for both the public and private sectors.
Why does the UAE celebrate Eid al-Adha?
The Eid al-Adha 2025 holiday in the UAE is a significant event in the Islamic calendar, marked by a four-day public holiday. This period is a time for Muslims to come together, celebrate their faith and engage in various religious observances.
The timing of Eid al-Adha is determined by the lunar cycle and the sighting of the crescent moon, which signals the start of the new lunar month in the Islamic calendar. In the UAE, the moon-sighting committee is responsible for confirming the sighting of the moon. If the moon is sighted, the following day is declared the first day of the new month, and Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Eid al-Adha is a major religious festival in the Islamic calendar. Muslims celebrate this occasion, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, by remembering how Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) demonstrated total obedience to God by preparing to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael). Islam celebrates this event to remind believers about faith and obedience through spiritual self-sacrifice.
There are two key holidays in Islam: Eid al-Fitr, which signifies the completion of the Holy Month of Ramadan; and Eid al-Adha, which follows the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Although Eid al-Adha has no direct relation to the Hajj Pilgrimage, it falls a day after the completion of Hajj and therefore has significance in time.
The day of Eid al-Adha falls on the tenth day in the final (twelfth) month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar; Dhu al-Hijjah. The day this celebrations fall on is dependent on a legitimate sighting of the moon, following the completion of the annual Holy Pilgrimage of Hajj.
What is Arafat Day?
In addition to Eid al-Adha 2025, the UAE celebrates Arafat Day. Arafat Day is the ninth day of the Islamic month Dhu al-Hijjah and the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage. It is immediately followed by Eid al-Adha celebrations. Arafat Day is expected to fall on Thursday, June 5, this year.
The day commemorates a key event in Islamic pilgrimage and marks a day of spiritual reflection, unity and supplication. Arafat is the name of a mountain located near the city of Makkah. On this day, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) delivered his farewell sermon to a gathering of over 100,000 Muslims during his final pilgrimage.
Traditionally, Muslims all around the world who are not in Makkah doing the pilgrimage will fast on the day. It is not mandatory, but it is preferred.
Read| Eid al-Adha 2025: Qatar announces five-day holiday
Remaining UAE holiday in 2025
Following Eid al-Adha 2025, UAE residents will celebrate three national holidays:
- Hijri New Year | Muharram 1 | One day
- Prophet’s Birthday | Rabi’ Al Awal 12 | One day
- National Day | December 2-3 | Two days
Hijri New Year is expected to take place on June 26, while the Prophet’s Birthday is expected to take place on September 4.
