UAE Announces Nine-Day Leave Potential After Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha

Key facts

• Arafah Day, the crucial pre-Eid observance, is anticipated on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
• The UAE Cabinet approved three public holidays for Eid Al Adha, spanning Wednesday, May 27, to Friday, May 29.
• The total public holiday period, combined with the weekend, provides a potential six-day break.
• To achieve a nine-day extended break, residents could utilize annual leave on Monday, May 25.
• Eid Al Adha is the second major festival of the year, commemorating the sacrifice of Prophet Abraham.
• The full Hajj pilgrimage is expected to begin around May 25, corresponding to the eighth of Dhul Hijjah in 2026.

The Calendar Interlock of Two Pivotal Religious Festivals

The Emirati calendar is set for a significant stretch of public holidays, anchored by Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha, two religiously important observances for Muslims worldwide. These two dates mark the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of Islam's greatest deeds, and offer residents the prospect of a substantial, multi-week break. Astrological and astronomical calculations indicate that the festive periods are scheduled for the latter half of May 2026. Crucially, the precise start of these holidays remains contingent upon the official sighting of the new crescent moon, a traditional necessity for declaring Islamic dates. Combining the confirmed public holidays with surrounding weekend days could furnish residents with a period of up to nine days off, provided only one day of personal annual leave is utilized to bridge the gap.

Holiday Structure: From Arafah Day to the Cabinet’s Approval

The lead-up to the festivities begins with Arafah Day, falling on Tuesday, May 26. This day holds immense spiritual weight as it marks the most significant day of the entire Hajj pilgrimage. For millions undertaking the journey, it involves spending the day gathering at Mount Arafat in Mecca. For those not performing Hajj, Arafah Day retains considerable cultural and spiritual importance, encouraging prayer, reflection, and community gatherings. Following this, the UAE Cabinet formalized three paid public holidays for Eid Al Adha, running from Wednesday, May 27, through Friday, May 29. Historically, both the public and private sectors in the UAE adhere to a unified calendar for calculating public holidays. This structure solidifies the potential for a seamless, prolonged period away from work.

The Meaning and Context of the Festivals

Eid Al Adha, which translates directly to the Festival of the Sacrifice, is the second of the two major Eids celebrated annually. It commends the Prophet Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his own son in obedience to God’s will, cementing its deeply spiritual meaning for adherents. These holidays coincide precisely with the conclusion of the Hajj season. The entire Hajj pilgrimage, which takes place during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, is the fifth pillar of Islam and mandates participation for every Muslim who is physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey once in a lifetime. This journey is viewed as profoundly transformative, fostering humility and unity among people of diverse backgrounds. Astronomically, the month of Dhul Hijjah is expected to begin around May 25, corresponding to the eighth of the Islamic month. The rituals of the Hajj are anticipated to conclude between May 29 and May 30, all pending final moon sighting confirmation.

Stakeholders and Authority in Declaring Dates

The accurate determination of the start date for Dhul Hijjah rests with the UAE’s dedicated moon-sighting committee. This body comprises senior religious scholars, governmental officials, and astronomers, whose declaration will ultimately determine the commencement of the entire holiday period. Reports from the Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub (SSAH), based at the University of Sharjah, have already shared their findings regarding the moon-sighting efforts with the UAE Fatwa Council, thereby supporting the official determinations. The SSAH Director, Professor Hamid Al Naimiy, confirmed that their findings were passed to the council for review.

The Opportunity for Extended Travel

Residents seeking to maximize their time away from work can engineer a nearly ten-day break. By strategically utilizing annual leave on Monday, May 25, individuals can connect the preceding weekend (May 23–24) with the full run of public holidays. This calculated day off bridges the gap between the end of the preceding weekend and the official start of the festivities. This potential nine-day period allows for an extended getaway, minimizing the requirement for formal leave while maximizing leisure time before and after the key holy days.

The bottom line

• The nine-day extended break requires taking annual leave on Monday, May 25, to combine with the preceding weekend and the three-day Eid Al Adha public holiday.
• The entire holiday schedule, including Arafah Day on May 26, 2026, is contingent on the official declaration of the new crescent moon.
• Eid Al Adha marks the end of Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, and commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son.
• For those not undertaking Hajj, Arafah Day is treated as a spiritually significant time for reflection and worship.
• The UAE public sector and private sector operate under a unified calendar, ensuring uniform observance of the public holidays.