As Ramadan comes to an end, families and friends across the UAE will be gearing up to celebrate Eid Al Fitr. Many will send greetings and exchange gifts with loved ones and others will share food with the less fortunate.
Eid Al Fitr is expected to fall on Monday, March 31, the Emirates Astronomical Society has said.
It’s a paid holiday for public and private sector workers in the UAE.
According to the Astronomical Society, the Eid Al Fitr holiday in the UAE will “most likely” be from Monday, March 31, until Wednesday, April 2. Plus Saturday and Sunday, that’s a long weekend!
Moon-Sighting and Lunar Predictions for Eid
Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the society’s board of directors told The National that exact dates for public holidays of Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha will be confirmed by the UAE’s Moon-sighting committee in the days leading up to the holidays.
Mr Al Jarwan said key elements in predicting the lunar cycle include the birth of the new Moon or its conjunction with the Sun, the new Moon’s elevation above the horizon at sunset and the age of the new Moon at sunset.
“The Moon’s crescent will be born three hours before sunset on Saturday March 29. It will be very thin covering only 0.01 per cent of the Moon’s surface,” Mr Al Jarwan said.
The Significance of Eid Al Fitr
Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr are determined by the Islamic calendar which has 12 lunar months totaling either 354 or 355 days and therefore moves up to 10 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.
Here is the public holiday schedule for the UAE in 2025:
| Public Holiday | Expected Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1, 2025 | Confirmed |
| Eid Al Fitr | March 31 – April 2, 2025 | Expected |
| Arafat Day | June 5, 2025 | Expected |
| Eid Al Adha | June 6 – June 8, 2025 | Expected |
| Islamic New Year | June 27, 2025 | Expected |
| The Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday | September 1, 2025 | Expected |
| Commemoration Day | December 1, 2025 | Expected |
| Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day) | December 2-3, 2025 | Expected |
Source: Emirates Astronomical Society
Eid Al Fitr is one of two holy feasts celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
The first day of Eid Al Fitr coincides with the first day of the 10th Islamic calendar month, known as Shawwal.
Celebrations start with Eid prayers, shortly after the dawn fajr prayer.
The Eid prayer is followed by a sermon and a big part of the ritual is greeting others who have gathered to pray and wishing them an “Eid Mubarak”.
The prayers are a chance to exchange Eid greetings and meet neighbours, family and friends.
Eid Al Fitr is celebrated for three days by visiting family and loved ones.
Eid Al Adha to be Celebrated in June
For Eid Al Adha, Mr Al Jarwan said the first day of the Islamic month Dhul Hijjah will be on Wednesday, May 28.
“So Eid Al Adha will be on Friday, June 6,” said Mr Al Jarwan.
Eid Al Adha holiday will be from Thursday June 5 with Arafat Day followed by Eid Al Adha on Friday June 6 to Sunday June 8, according to calculations.
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