Private sector employees in the UAE will have a paid holiday from Monday, Ramadan 29 (April 8, 2024) until Shawwal 3 on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr 2024.
If the moon crescent is sighted on April 8 (Monday), then April 9 will be Shawwal 1, the first day of Eid Al Fitr. This would give private sector employees a four-day holiday – from Monday to Thursday.
However, if the moon is sighted on April 9 (Tuesday), then Wednesday, April 10, will be the first day of Shawwal. This will give private sector employees a five-day holiday – from Monday to Friday.
The month of Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon, and Eid Al Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal.
Earlier, it was announced that federal government employees in the UAE will have a one-week holiday for Eid Al Fitr 2024.
The holiday will begin on Monday, April 8, and regular working hours will resume on Monday, April 15.
For employees who have a holiday on Saturday and Sunday, this would mean a nine-day break, counting Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7.
When is Eid Al Fitr 2024?
According to the International Astronomical Center, some countries that marked the beginning of Ramadan on Monday, March 11, expect a crescent sighting on Monday, April 8. However, this sighting might be unclear due to the moon setting before the sun, leading to a conjunction occurring after sunset.
Meanwhile, countries that started Ramadan on Tuesday, March 12, expect a moon crescent sighting on Tuesday, April 9. The International Astronomical Center states that a sighting will be possible on that day. Therefore, the center expects countries to announce Eid Al Fitr on April 10.
In the UAE, the Emirates Astronomical Society also forecasts Eid to begin on April 10. However, the confirmation will be announced by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee.
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