Eid Al Fitr 2019: When does Ramadan end in the UAE?

Celebrations look set to begin on Tuesday, June 4, or Wednesday June 5

First day of Ramadan at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. A canon is fired to mark the beginning of iftar. Victor Besa/The National

A man takes rest mosque during Ramadan on May 11. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Ramadan market at Adnec. Antonie Robertson/The National

Friday prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque during Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National

People walk under illuminated decorations at Qanat Al Qasba in Sharjah. EPA

People sitting together to break their fast during the Ramadan in the parking area near the Al Ghubaiba bus station in Bur Dubai in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Friday prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque during Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National

People having iftar at the Fairuz Ramadan Tent at the Fairmont hotel on the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National 

‘Ramadan at Al Hosn’, which aims to revive the authentic traditions of Ramadan by recalling the memories rooted in our past, when the people of Abu Dhabi gathered at Qasr Al Hosn to celebrate the holy month. Victor Besa/The National

Suhur at the Emirates Palace Hotel with Soux Chef, Yahia Al Mustafa and his Ramadan tent team. Victor Besa/The National

Ramadan at Qasr Al Hosn. Victor Besa / TheNational

Muslims break their fast at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National 

Sheikh Zayed Mosque at dusk. Victor Besa / The National

A photo of people preparing for Ramadan at the Lootah Masjid Mosque in Deira, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A man prays at the Lootah Masjid Mosque in Deira, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Men prepare for taraweeh prayer at the steel mosque on a rainy evening in Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National

People praying after breaking their fast on the First day of Ramadan at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

Eid Al Fitr is a key date in the calendar for Muslims around the world as it marks the end of Ramadan.

On the eve of the 30th day of Ramadan, the moon-sighting committee will reconvene and begin searching for a glimpse of the new crescent moon. If they spot the new moon, the following morning will be announced as the first day of Shawwal — Eid Al Fitr.

When is Eid Al Fitr in 2019?

The holy month lasts between 29 to 30 days, depending on the moon sighting.

Ramadan this year began on May 6 in most Islamic countries. So, that means Eid Al Fitr, which translates from Arabic to the 'feast of breaking the fast', will likely begin on either Tuesday, June 4, or Wednesday, June 5.

The UAE has formed a moon-sighting committee who will begin looking for evidence of a new moon cycle on Monday, June 3. If they spot the new moon, Eid Al Fitr will begin the next day. If not, Eid will begin on Wednesday instead — meaning Ramadan will have lasted 30 days.

According to the list of public holidays released by the UAE Cabinet for this year and next, the Eid holiday will begin on the 29th day of Ramadan and last until Shawwal 3.

It has been confirmed that the Eid holiday for the private sector will begin on Monday June 3 and last for four days, regardless of when Eid falls, while the public sector will have five days off starting from Sunday, June 2.

UPDATE: UAE government announces Eid Al Fitr holiday for public and private sector workers.

Last year, Eid fell on a Friday and the public sector was given Thursday and the following Sunday off. The private sector resumed work on the Sunday. Public holidays have however been unified across the two sectors, the government announced earlier this year.

During Eid, it is recommended for Muslims to wear new clothes and visit family and friends, and exchange greetings with every person they come across.

Celebrations typically last for three days and, more recently, it has become common practice to use the Eid holiday to travel or carry out extra-curricular activities.

For more information on the UAE's public holidays, visit this page.

This article was first published on 2 May, 2019