Eid Al Fitr Holiday Schedule for the Private Sector in GCC Countries

Employees in GCC countries will enjoy a long break for Eid Al Fitr festivities in the week of April 8-13. Eid will likely fall on April 10, depending on the local moon sighting. The weekend will further prolong the Eid break. Businesses should note extended days off for government offices and banking and financial institutions during this time.

Eid Al Fitr signifies the end of the month-long fast observed by Muslims. Ramadan typically lasts for either 29 or 30 days each year.

UAE

In the UAE, the moon-sighting committee did not observe the Shawwal crescent on Monday (Ramadan 29), extending the holy month to 30 days. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr is set to start on Wednesday, April 10.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation confirmed that employees will receive paid leave from the 29th day of Ramadan, which falls on Monday, April 8, until the third day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic Hijri Calendar. The first day of Shawwal marks the commencement of Eid Al Fitr.

If Ramadan spans 29 days, workers will enjoy a four-day break, with the third day of Shawwal falling on Thursday and work commencing Friday, April 12. If Ramadan extends for 30 days, as anticipated, the Eid holiday will extend until Friday, April 12, with work resuming on Monday, April 15. Saturdays and Sundays are official weekend days in the Emirates.

This announcement implies that some in the private sector may enjoy a holiday spanning up to nine days, encompassing the weekends surrounding the break. The start date of Eid will be confirmed by the UAE’s Moon-sighting committee.

Saudi Arabia

Eid is likely to be observed on Wednesday, April 10, as the moon-sighting committee did not observe the Shawwal crescent on Monday.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has declared a four-day Eid Al-Fitr holiday for the private and non-profit sectors in the Kingdom.

The Eid Al Fitr holiday will commence at the end of the workday on Sunday, April 7. “Employers are required to comply with the provisions outlined in the second paragraph of Article 24 of the executive regulation of the Labor Law,” the ministry stated in a release.

Given that Friday and Saturday are the official weekend days in the kingdom, residents and workers in Saudi Arabia will get six consecutive days off from April 8 to April 13.

Furthermore, the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) declared that financial institutions across the country will close for the Eid Al-Fitr holiday at the close of business on April 4 and will reopen operations on April 14.

Kuwait

The chairman of the Kuwaiti Sharia Authority has announced that April 9, Tuesday, will be the last day of Ramadan, and Eid Al Fitr will be on Wednesday.

Most employees in the country will enjoy a three-day break for Eid Al Fitr, from Tuesday, April 9 to Thursday, April 11, followed by the official weekend (Friday and Saturday).

Qatar

Qatar’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has announced that Wednesday will be the first day of Eid Al Fitr.

Eid Al-Fitr will be on Wednesday, April 10, according to a statement of Qatar Calendar House and the Kuwaiti Al-Ojairi Scientific Center.

Public holidays are scheduled between April 10 to April 12.

Qatar has also switched to a Friday-Saturday weekend.

Oman

Eid Al Fitr holidays in Oman will likely fall between April 8 to April 11. It is expected that Eid Al Fitr will fall on April 10, Wednesday, in Oman, depending on the moon sighting. Oman observes its weekend on Friday and Saturday.

Bahrain

Eid al-Fitr in 2024 is anticipated to occur on Wednesday, April 10th, in Bahrain, contingent upon the sighting of the moon.

Public holidays are scheduled between April 10 and 12. The weekend is observed on Friday and Saturday.

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