The UAE has announced a week-long holiday for the public sector to mark Eid Al Fitr.
The UAE Cabinet mandated that federal government staff would be given paid leave from Monday to Sunday, April 8 to 14.
Work will resume on Monday, April 15, the UAE Media Office reported on Sunday evening.
The decision means government employees will enjoy a break of up to nine days, when including the weekends on either side of the announced holiday.
Eid’s exact start date will be confirmed by the UAE’s Moon-sighting committee.
The Eid holiday for the private sector is expected to be announced later.
Federal government and private sector workers are typically afforded the same number of holiday dates per year.
What is Eid Al Fitr?
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of the month-long fast for Muslims.
It is a celebratory occasion marked by morning prayers, family get-togethers, the giving of gifts to loved ones and charitable donations.
Many people take advantage of the extended break from work to travel overseas or take short trips within the region.
It is also an opportunity to buy new clothes to usher in the religious holiday.
Eid in UAE: From fireworks to concerts
The long holiday will give people in the UAE precious leisure time to enjoy a whole host of activities taking place during Eid.
Spectacular firework displays will light up the skies across the Emirates to mark the joyous occasion.
Dazzling light shows planned for the first day of the Eid festival – which will be either Tuesday, April 9 or Wednesday, April 10 – at locations such as Dubai Festival City (from 8pm) and Yas Bay waterfront (from 9pm on the first three nights of Eid).
Al Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi will host a fireworks display at 9pm on the first night of Eid.
The sprawling leisure hub will also stage an Eid-themed event on the second day of the festival, from 5pm to 11pm, featuring an outdoor cinema, a henna station, gaming and children's zones, roaming carnival performers and a DJ.
Eid will also set the stage for a series of crowd-pleasing music concerts and live shows taking place all over the UAE.
The popular Kuwaiti singer and actress Nawal El Kuwaitia will raise the curtain on the star-studded line-up at Dubai Opera House on Wednesday, April 10.
Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena will play host to the Nigerian rapper Rema on April 11 and a dynamic double act from Filipino favourites Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo on April 14.
There will be fun for all of the family in Abu Dhabi as Scooby-Doo! and The Lost City of Gold takes over the Etihad Arena from April 12 to 14.
Take a break
Eid will also offer an opportunity to get in the holiday mood, without even leaving the Emirates.
There will be no shortage of staycation deals to choose from for families eager to make the most of additional time off from offices and classrooms.
The National has compiled a luxurious list of some of the best domestic delights to savour.
Those with a sense of adventure can book a stay at the Terra Cabins at JA Hatta Fort Hotel, nestled among the mountains of Hatta.
Scenic views and five-star service will be served up at Banyan Tree Dubai on Bluewaters Island.
Read more on the UAE's top staycation spots in our helpful guide, here.
UAE SQUAD
Khalid Essa, Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammad Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoon Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO
Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke
Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke
Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO
Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision
Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision
Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO
Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)
Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)
Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision
Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke
Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO
Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'The Ice Road'
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne
2/5
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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%3Cp%3EDungeons%20%26amp%3B%20Dragons%20began%20as%20an%20interactive%20game%20which%20would%20be%20set%20up%20on%20a%20table%20in%201974.%20One%20player%20takes%20on%20the%20role%20of%20dungeon%20master%2C%20who%20directs%20the%20game%2C%20while%20the%20other%20players%20each%20portray%20a%20character%2C%20determining%20its%20species%2C%20occupation%20and%20moral%20and%20ethical%20outlook.%20They%20can%20choose%20the%20character%E2%80%99s%20abilities%2C%20such%20as%20strength%2C%20constitution%2C%20dexterity%2C%20intelligence%2C%20wisdom%20and%20charisma.%20In%20layman%E2%80%99s%20terms%2C%20the%20winner%20is%20the%20one%20who%20amasses%20the%20highest%20score.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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