Eid Al Adha holidays: UAE residents likely to get almost a week off next month

Religious festival is expected to span four weekdays, starting with Arafat Day on Monday, July 19

The Bani Hashim mosque in Abu Dhabi. The Eid Al Adha religious festival could give workers almost a week off. Victor Besa / The National

UAE employees could receive almost a week off work next month.

The exact dates of Eid Al Adha will depend on the sighting of the moon, but the holiday is expected to start on Monday, July 19, with a day off for Arafat Day.

It marks the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage, and the day before Eid Al Adha, the religious festival.

There will be a further three days off for Eid, taking the holiday up to Thursday, July 22, and adding up to a six-day stretch for those lucky enough to have the weekend off as well.

Eid Al Adha is known as the feast of the sacrifice, and coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah, which all Muslims are required to make at least once in their lifetime if they are able.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia confirmed the Hajj will take place this year, with precautions in place to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Health institutions in Saudi Arabia will continue to assess the situation and take all measures to preserve the health of all mankind," a spokesman for the Hajj and Umrah Ministry told The National last month.

Full details and regulations will be announced later.

Eid Al Ahda festivities – in pictures