UAE federal government employees will enjoy a five-day paid break during the upcoming Eid Al Adha celebration, according to an official announcement made on May 12, 2026.
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed that the holiday will run from Monday, May 25, through Friday, May 29, covering both Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha. Public sector staff are scheduled to return to normal working hours on Monday, June 1.
Dubai authorities will hold a public moon-sighting event for the Dhu Al Hijjah crescent on May 17, 2026, organized by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department at Jebel Nazwa Trail starting at 5pm.
According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomical Society, the new moon for Dhu Al Hijjah will be born on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 12:01am UAE time. Based on astronomical calculations, the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah is expected to fall on Monday, May 18.
Following this timeline, the Day of Arafah is likely to fall on Tuesday, May 26, with Eid Al Adha beginning at sunrise on Wednesday, May 27. However, final dates remain subject to official moon sighting confirmation.
The Ministry of Education announced that the midterm break for the third academic term will align with the Eid Al Adha holiday, running from May 25 to May 29 for students, teachers, and administrative staff. Combined with surrounding weekends, this creates a nine-day break for the education sector.
Private schools in Dubai will observe the same schedule under the unified academic calendar, with classes resuming June 1. Meanwhile, the Sharjah Private Education Authority confirmed that private schools across the emirate will have a holiday from Monday to Thursday, May 25 to 28, resulting in a 10-day break including weekends.
Eid Al Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The Day of Arafah, observed one day before Eid Al Adha, is considered the most significant day of the Hajj pilgrimage and holds deep spiritual importance for Muslims worldwide.
The announcement reflects the UAE government’s continued commitment to honoring Islamic traditions while providing public sector employees and students with time to celebrate with their families. Similar holiday announcements have been made throughout the year for major national and religious occasions.
Authorities extended their wishes to all residents ahead of one of the most significant celebrations in the Islamic calendar.
