Eid Al Fitr holiday dates for government workers will begin on Ramadan 29 until Shawwal 3, according to state news agency Wam.
This means the holiday will be from Saturday, April 30, and last until Tuesday, May 3 or Wednesday, May 4.
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan but the exact date depends on the sighting of the moon. The holy month lasts for either 29 or 30 days, depending on when the new crescent moon is seen.
The Emirates Astronomical Society forecast the last day of Ramadan will be May 1, making the month 30 days.
What is Eid Al Fitr?
At the end of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr is the holiday that marks the completion of the month-long fast. Practices vary around the world, but commonly include morning prayers, public holidays, visiting family and friends, gift-giving and charity donations.
When is Eid Al Fitr and how is the start determined?
The end of the holy month will be confirmed in the same way as the beginning, by a moon-sighting committee that is responsible for spotting the new crescent moon.
The duration of the holy month is decided by the Islamic calendar, which consists of 12 lunar months, totalling either 354 or 355 days.
That means each month can last either 29 or 30 days.
This year, in the UAE, Ramadan is expected to be on the longer side, at 30 days, according to astronomers.
How to wish someone a happy Eid
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
On racial profiling at airports
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Pot 1: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China
Pot 2: Iraq, Uzbekistan, Syria, Oman, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Vietnam, Jordan
Pot 3: Palestine, India, Bahrain, Thailand, Tajikistan, North Korea, Chinese Taipei, Philippines
Pot 4: Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Yemen, Afghanistan, Maldives, Kuwait, Malaysia
Pot 5: Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Guam, Macau/Sri Lanka
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