UAE pupils to return to school on Monday after Eid Al Fitr

Schools will reopen on Monday. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Pupils in the UAE will return to school on Monday as Eid Al Fitr will fall on Friday.

The moon-sighting committee sighted the crescent moon on Thursday, heralding the start of the religious festival.

Earlier in the week, parents were told children would return to classrooms either on Monday or Tuesday, depending on when the Eid moon was sighted.

This year the holy month is 29 days, so the Eid holiday will last four days and schools will resume on Monday.

No new announcement has yet been made by KHDA and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, the regulators of private schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which means Monday is when lessons begin.

The paid public holiday for Eid for the public and private sectors has already been announced.

Employees began their four-day break on Thursday and will return to work on Monday.

People prepare for Eid celebrations in the UAE - in pictures

A customer buys chocolates from a Dubai sweet shop for Eid Al Fitr, which begins in the UAE on Friday. EPA

Dubai's sweet shops were busy ahead of the celebrations, which mark the end of fasting during Ramadan. EPA

A tailor displays new kanduras for the holidays in Dubai. EPA

A customer is measured for his Eid attire. EPA

A sign for Eid sales at Dropkick, Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The cannon at Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi, is fired to break the fast on Thursday, the last day of Ramadan. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Kayakers at Reem Central Park, Abu Dhabi, on the first day of the Eid holiday. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Spectators at the cannon firing at Burj Park, Dubai, on the last day of Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The cannon is fired at Burj Park. Chris Whiteoak / The National