Eid Al Fitr holiday announced for UAE private-sector workers

The public holiday will begin on Saturday, April 30

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  Beautiful decorations for Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Tailors at a garment shop in Satwa prepare and finish sowing Eid clothes for the upcoming end of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Tailors at a garment shop in Satwa prepare and finish sowing Eid clothes for the upcoming end of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Beautiful decorations for Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Beautiful decorations for Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  People shopping at Carrefour Hypermarket at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai ahead of Eid Al Fitr. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Tailors at a garment shop in Satwa prepare and finish sowing Eid clothes for the upcoming end of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Tailors at a garment shop in Satwa prepare and finish sowing Eid clothes for the upcoming end of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Tailors at a garment shop in Satwa prepare and finish sowing Eid clothes for the upcoming end of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Tailors at a garment shop in Satwa prepare and finish sowing Eid clothes for the upcoming end of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Tailors at a garment shop in Satwa prepare and finish sowing Eid clothes for the upcoming end of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Antonie Robertson / The National

The UAE announced Eid Al Fitr holiday dates for the private sector on Thursday.

Workers will enjoy a public holiday from Ramadan 29 – Saturday, April 30 – until Shawwal 3.

It will be a paid holiday for all private sector workers on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr.

This means the holiday will be from Saturday, April 30, and last until Tuesday, May 3 or Wednesday, May 4, depending on the start date of Eid.

The decision was made by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

Eid is expected to fall on Monday, May 2, according to the International Astronomical Centre, but will be confirmed by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee.

Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan but the exact date depends on the sighting of the Moon. The holy month lasts for 29 or 30 days, depending on when the new crescent is sighted.

Emirates Astronomical Society had forecast that the last day of Ramadan would be on May 1, making the month 30 days.

Earlier, the Eid break for government staff was revealed. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said this would also run from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3.

What is Eid Al Fitr?

At the end of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr is the holiday that marks the completion of the month-long fasting.

Practices vary around the world, but commonly include morning prayers, public holidays, visiting family and friends, new clothing and henna, gifts and charity donations.

Top travel destinations this Eid Al Fitr - in pictures

The US is the most popular destination for travellers from the Middle East and Africa, according to the latest data from digital travel marketing company Sojern.

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  1. The US is the most popular destination for travel this Eid, according to new data from Sojern. Unsplash / Carlos Bastias

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  2. Lake Como, Italy. Unsplash

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  3. The Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt. AP Photo

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  4. Kerala, India. AFP

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  5. The Scottish Highlands in the UK.

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  6. Marseilles, France. Atlantide Phototravel / Corbis

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  7. Antalya, Turkey. AP Photo

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  8. Frankfurt, Germany. Unsplash / Marcus Spiske

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  9. Palawan, the Philippines. Photo: Explorar Hotels & Resorts

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  10. Tangier, Morocco. Getty Images