Public sector workers will have a full week's holiday to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, the festival that marks the end of Ramadan.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah this weekend confirmed the break, which follows the federal HR authority's decision on Thursday.
Employees will have a nine-day break including weekends from Saturday, April 30, until Sunday, May 8, with work resuming on Monday, May 9. The remaining three emirates are expected to confirm the same dates.
But private sector employees will enjoy a holiday from Ramadan 29 — Saturday, April 30 — until Shawwal 3 — either Tuesday, May 3, or Wednesday, May 4, depending on the sighting of the moon.
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of the month of fasting, which is typically marked with special nightly congregational prayers such as taraweeh and tahajjud, and increased acts of charity.
When is Eid Al Fitr 2022 in the UAE?
Considered the festival of ending the fast, the celebration immediately follows Ramadan.
The holy month lasts either 29 or 30 days, depending on when the new crescent moon is sighted, as the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle.
The Emirates Astronomical Society has forecast that the last day of Ramadan will be on Monday, May 2, making the month 30 days.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Buy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
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End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
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