The residents of the UAE were set to enjoy up to five days off for the Islamic festival of Eid Al Fitr, marking the first extended holiday of 2025.
The break was expected to last either four or five days, depending on the sighting of the crescent Moon, with the holiday coinciding with the weekend.
According to astronomical calculations, a five-day holiday was considered likely. Eid Al Fitr, which took place on the first of Shawwal, the Islamic calendar month following Ramadan, marked the end of the fasting month. The length of Islamic Hijri months depended on the Moon’s sighting, lasting either 29 or 30 days.
The UAE’s Moon-sighting committee was due to meet on Ramadan 29, Saturday, March 29, to search for the crescent. If the Moon was sighted, the holy month would end after 29 days, with the Eid break spanning from Sunday, March 30, to Tuesday, April 1. When combined with the preceding Saturday weekend, this would result in a four-day break.
In the event the Moon was not sighted on March 29, Ramadan would extend to 30 days. This year, the 30th of Ramadan was declared a holiday as well, in addition to the three days allocated for Eid. Therefore, the break would extend from Sunday, March 30 (Ramadan 30), to Wednesday, April 2, making it a five-day holiday.
According to the Dubai Astronomy Group, led by its spokesperson, the holy month was expected to last 30 days. He stated, “Our calculations suggest that the holy month will likely conclude after 30 days,” meaning residents could look forward to the five-day break.
The official dates for the holiday were due to be confirmed on March 29 when the Moon-sighting committee convened.
The Dubai Astronomy Group had also encouraged residents to take part in the traditional practice of Moon sighting. Residents were invited to "look towards the western horizon to attempt to sight the new crescent Moon" after sunset, and could use telescopes or binoculars to enhance their search.
