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The UAE Cabinet has announced the dates of the country's holidays for the public and private sectors in 2023.
Residents could enjoy a six-day break next year and a number of long weekends, while Ramadan is set to begin early in 2023.
When is Ramadan 2023?
Based on current calculations, Ramadan in 2023 is expected to start around March 23. This means means Eid Al Fitr — the festival that marks the end of Ramadan — is expected to be from Thursday, April 20 to Sunday, April 23.
This year, the holy month of Ramadan began on April 1, but because the dates are decided by the Islamic calendar, it moves up to 10 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year.
The exact date of Ramadan can only be determined a night or two before the holy month begins because the Hijri calendar is based on moon cycles, and is determined by the sighting of a new crescent moon.
When is the first day off in 2023?
The first holiday for both the pubic and private sector will be New Year's Day, followed by Eid Al Fitr, the festival that marks the end of Ramadan, in April.
Eid Al Fitr marks the beginning of the Islamic month Shawwal. The Cabinet said the holiday will be between Ramadan 29 and Shawwal 3 which is expected to be from April 20 to 23.
Next comes Arafat Day, the second day of the week-long Hajj pilgrimage, set to take place on Dhu Al Hijja 9, which is expected to be June 27.
Arafat Day will be followed by Eid Al Adha, one of the most important days in the Muslim calendar. It will fall between Dhu Al Hijja 10 and 12 — expected to be June 28 to 30.
The public holiday to mark Islamic New Year falls on July 21.
Prophet Mohammed's birthday follows that, with a public holiday on September 29.
The holiday for National Day falls on December 2 and 3.
UAE Holidays for 2023
January 1: New Year's Day
April 20 to 23: Eid Al Fitr
June 27: Arafat Day
June 28 to 30: Eid Al Adha
July 21: Islamic New Year
September 29: Prophet Mohammed’s birthday
December 2 and 3: UAE National Day