Residents of the UAE were set to enjoy an extended break of up to five days for Eid Al Fitr, marking the first long holiday of 2025.
The holiday was expected to last either four or five days, depending on the sighting of the crescent Moon, and would align with the weekend.
Based on astronomical predictions, a five-day break was considered probable. Eid Al Fitr, celebrated on the first day of Shawwal—the month following Ramadan in the Islamic calendar—marked the conclusion of the fasting period. The duration of Islamic Hijri months varied, lasting either 29 or 30 days depending on the sighting of the Moon.
Read More: Saturday Holiday in Schools Cancelled
The UAE’s Moon-sighting committee was scheduled to convene on Ramadan 29, which fell on Saturday, March 29, to determine the start of Eid. If the crescent Moon was visible, Ramadan would conclude after 29 days, and the holiday would span from Sunday, March 30, to Tuesday, April 1. When combined with the preceding weekend on Saturday, this would result in a four-day break.
However, if the Moon was not sighted on March 29, Ramadan would extend to 30 days. This year, in addition to the usual three-day Eid holiday, Ramadan 30 had also been declared a public holiday. In this scenario, the break would run from Sunday, March 30 (Ramadan 30), to Wednesday, April 2, giving residents a five-day holiday.
The Dubai Astronomy Group indicated that Ramadan was likely to last for 30 days. A spokesperson for the group stated, “Our calculations suggest that the fasting month will likely extend to 30 days,” meaning a five-day holiday was expected.
The official confirmation of the holiday dates was set to be announced on March 29, once the Moon-sighting committee had met.
Additionally, the Dubai Astronomy Group encouraged residents to participate in the traditional Moon-sighting practice. People were invited to observe the western horizon after sunset to look for the crescent Moon, with the option of using telescopes or binoculars to aid their search.
