UAE residents have just returned to work after a week-long Eid Al Fitr holiday, while students are back in school after their spring break. And already, the top trend dominating search engines is “When is Eid Al Adha 2024?”
When is Eid Al Adha 2024?
Eid Al Adha falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhu Al Hijjah – the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar – and continues until the 13th of the month. Eid Al Adha is observed after the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah.
It is among the two main holidays celebrated in Islam, the other being Eid Al Fitr.
Read: Tracking GCC’s public holidays in 2024
According to the official list of holidays approved by the UAE Cabinet, Dhu Al Hijjah 10 to 12 will be an official holiday for Eid Al Adha, while Dhu Al Hijjah 9 will be a holiday for Arafah Day, the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage.
According to the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) of the Government of Dubai, the month of Dhu Al Hijjah is likely to begin on Saturday, June 8, subject to the sighting of the moon. Therefore, Arafah Day will most likely be observed on Sunday, June 16, while Eid Al Adha will fall on Monday, June 17. A three-day holiday for Eid Al Adha would mean the break will extend until Wednesday. If you include the preceding weekend, residents will enjoy a five-day break — Saturday, June 15 to Wednesday, June 19.
What’s the significance of Eid Al Adha?
Eid Al Adha is also known as the festival of sacrifice. It commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as an act of obedience to God’s command. On this day, families that can afford to sacrifice a ritually acceptable animal, such as sheep or goat, do so and divide the flesh equally into three portions — one for the family offering the sacrifice, one for friends and relatives, and one for the poor and needy. It’s also a time for meeting friends and relatives, and exchanging gifts.
Other UAE holidays in 2024
Once the Eid Al Adha break is over, UAE residents will have a one-day holiday for the Islamic New Year, observed on Muharram 1, according to the UAE Cabinet.
The next holiday will be for the Prophet’s Birthday, on Rabi Al Awwal 12, while a two-day National Day holiday will be observed December 2 and 3, 2024.
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