UAE residents prepare for a very long weekend as the dates for the Eid Al Fitr holiday have been announced.
For those working in the public sector, the Eid Al Fitr holiday dates will run from Sunday, July 3 to Saturday, July 9 with work resuming as per usual on July 10.
Based on the directives of the President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan – the dates were announced during a UAE cabinet meeting chaired by Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Held at the Presidential Palace, the cabinet meeting also drew the likes of Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior as well as Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed AL Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
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During the meetings, an adjustment to the working days of the administrative and educational bodies for the year 2015-2016 and the following three years were also made, with the last working day being announced as June 30.
While dates private sector holidays are yet to be announced, it is predicted that it will most likely we will get two days off – either Tuesday July 5 and Wednesday July 6 or Wednesday July 6 or Thursday July 7.
Eid Al Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, which is the month following Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. Throughout Eid Al Fitr, Muslims give charity to the less fortunate, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy.
Food donations are also offered to the poor allowing them to participate in the celebrations. This act of generosity is known as Sadaqah al-Fitr (charity of fast breaking). Read here to find out how you can help feed the needy during Ramadan.
On the day of Eid, Muslims gather for the early morning Eid prayer, spending the rest of the day visiting family, friends and sharing gifts.
After the Almighty Allah put the Muslims to test during Ramadan, they feel an understandable great sense of achievement throughout Eid. It’s the joy of being spiritually fulfilled.
