Saudi Arabia is expected to observe an extended Eid-ul-Fitr holiday, potentially lasting for an entire week. As Muslims around the world prepare for Eid-ul-Fitr, Saudi authorities have announced the upcoming holiday schedule, which will be determined by the sighting of the crescent moon.
Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan on the first day of Shawwal, follows the Islamic lunar calendar, where months last either 29 or 30 days. The official holiday period varies each year based on moon sighting, making final holiday announcements subject to astronomical observations.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has confirmed that the private and non-profit sectors will receive a four-day holiday starting from March 30 and ending on April 2. Regular work operations will resume on April 3. However, by factoring in the usual Friday-Saturday weekend, employees in these sectors will effectively enjoy a six-day break in total.
In addition to Saudi Arabia, other Gulf nations, including the UAE and Kuwait, have also announced their Eid-ul-Fitr holiday schedules. In Kuwait, if Eid-ul-Fitr falls on March 30, employees will receive a three-day holiday, with work resuming on April 2. However, if Eid-ul-Fitr is observed on March 31, Kuwaiti employees will benefit from an extended nine-day break, as offices will reopen on April 6 following two consecutive weekends.
The UAE has also announced its Eid-ul-Fitr holiday schedule for both public and private sector employees. If the crescent moon is sighted on March 29, the UAE will commence its holiday on March 30, providing government sector employees with a four-day break until April 1. However, if the lunar month completes 30 days, the Eid-ul-Fitr break will start on March 31, giving employees an extended five-day holiday from March 29 to April 2.
With the possibility of extended celebrations, millions of Muslims across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region are looking forward to this joyous occasion, marking the culmination of Ramadan and the beginning of festive Eid-ul-Fitr gatherings.