Private sector employees in the UAE will enjoy a four-day holiday for the upcoming Arafah Day and Eid al-Adha in June, beginning from 9 Dhul Hijjah, as announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) on Thursday.
The holiday will start on 9 Dhul Hijjah, which corresponds to Thursday, June 5, and will extend through 12 Dhul Hijjah (1446 AH), concluding on Sunday, June 8. Consequently, private sector employees will benefit from a four-day break in observance of Arafah Day and Eid al-Adha, including the weekend. Official work will resume on Monday, June 9, 2025.
This announcement follows the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent on Tuesday evening, confirming that the last month of the Islamic calendar will commence on Wednesday, May 28. The crescent was observed by astronomers on multiple occasions, as reported by the UAEās Astronomy Centre.
Public sector employees will receive similar holidays. A unified holiday policy in the UAE for both public and private sector workers ensures that all employees enjoy equal breaks throughout the year.
Read more: Eid al-Adha 2025 in UAE: Holiday for public sector announced
Significance of Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, also referred to as the ‘Festival of Sacrifice,’ commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. The occasion is marked by prayers, charitable acts, and the traditional sacrifice of livestock, with meat distributed among family, friends, and those in need.
The timing of Eid al-Adha in 2025 is determined by the lunar cycle and the sighting of the crescent moon, which signals the beginning of the new lunar month in the Islamic calendar. In the UAE, the moon-sighting committee is responsible for confirming the sighting. 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.
The moon sighting for Dhu al-Hijjah in the year 1446 AH was conducted at the UAE Council for Fatwa, which held a meeting on Tuesday evening at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The meeting was chaired by scholar Shaykh Abdullah bin Al Shaykh Al-Mahfouz bin Bayyah, Chairman of the UAE Council for Fatwa. Also present was Dr. Omar Habtoor Al-Darei, Vice Chairman of the Council, along with members who are experts in Islamic jurisprudence, legal studies, and astronomy.
Scientific data analysis
During the meeting, the committee reviewed scientific data and precise reports from relevant agencies regarding astronomical calculations for the birth of the crescent, the occurrence of conjunction, and the feasibility of sighting the moon. This included analyzing results from various national observatories equipped with the latest advanced technologies and smart instruments after sunset on Tuesday.
