Eid holiday dates announced for private sector workers

Staff are set for a long break from work this month

A cannon is fired at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, to mark the beginning of iftar in 2020. Victor Besa / The National

A Ramadan decoration at one of the bridges on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National

Hundreds of packets of cooked food provided by Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh temple in Jebel Ali for the needy are distributed by Markaz volunteers before iftar at the Naif area of Deira, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Volunteers in Fujairah prepare food to be handed out at iftar. Antonie Robertson / The National

Ramadan decorations on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi, at sunset. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A cannon is fired to mark the breaking of the Ramadan fast at Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi's oldest standing building. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A woman checks out a Ramadan promotional stand at Carrefour in Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan lamps for sale at the Dhow Harbour and Al Mina Souq, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The sun sets behind Al Rustmani Mosque in Jebel Ali, Dubai, on the day before Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan decoration at one of the bridges on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National

Ramadan lights on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations at the Spinneys in Al Barsha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A Ramadan date shopper at the Abu Dhabi Dates Market at Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations inside Al Fateh Plaza at the Dhow Harbour and Al Mina Souq, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Private sector workers are set for a long weekend break later this month after Eid Al Fitr holiday dates were confirmed.

The Eid holiday will commence on Friday, May 22 – Ramadan 29 – and will continue until Shawwal 3 in keeping with the Islamic calendar.

Shawwal 3 will fall on Tuesday, May 26 or Wednesday, May 27, depending on whether Ramadan is made up of 29 or 30 days this year.

The break for private sector employees is in line with the holiday announced for public sector staff earlier this week.

The exact dates will be confirmed nearer to the time by the moon-sighting committee.

Eid Al Fitr is a key date in the Islamic calendar as it marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting.

On the eve of the 30th day of Ramadan, the moon-sighting committee, which was responsible for sighting the crescent moon to indicate the start of the holy month, reconvenes to look for the new crescent moon that signals the beginning of a new month.

If they spot the new moon, the following morning will be announced as the first day of Shawwal — Eid Al Fitr.

As with the holy month currently being observed in the Emirates, time-honoured Eid traditions are likely to be impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

Although restrictions on travel and trade have been eased, festivities are set to be more restrained.

On the first day of Eid, Muslims would typically Muslims wake up just before dawn to perform Eid prayers at mosques.

During Eid, Muslims tend to wear new clothes and visit family and friends.

This year's celebrations are expected to be muted, with mosques still closed and gatherings remaining limited to groups of no more than five.

In recent years, it became common practice to travel during Eid but, this year, no one will be able to travel because flights have been grounded.