Eid Al Adha 2023 likely to start on this date, predicts UAE astronomer

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Those working in the UAE have the opportunity to enjoy a six-day break in the final week of June, with a leading astronomer predicting the start of Eid Al Adha on Wednesday, June 28.

Eid Al Adha, which means the ‘festival of sacrifice’, is observed on the tenth day of the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul Hijjah.

Speaking to Abu Dhabi-based English daily, The National, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of Emirates Astronomy Society, said Dhul Hijjah is expected to commence on Monday, June 19.

Coincidentally, the Hajj is performed on the eighth, ninth and the tenth of this month. This year, the pilgrimage, which takes three days, is expected to begin on June 26.

“It means that Eid Al Adha will likely be on Wednesday, June 28, and Arafat Day, which is one day before Eid, will be on Tuesday, June 27,” Al Jarwan told the newspaper.

Eid Al Adha dates subject to change

The dates are subject to change pending an official announcement by the UAE’s moon sighting committee in the days leading up to the Hajj and Eid al-Adha.

The UAE Cabinet has provided a list of public holiday dates for 2023, with four days allocated for Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha.

Employees are due to get a day off on Tuesday, June 27 for Arafat Day and also get three additional days off for Eid, from Wednesday to Friday. For those not working on the weekend, it would mean they get six days off work before returning on Monday, July 3.

Next public holiday

Planning your next break? After Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha, the next public holiday is the Hijri New Year, which is set to fall on Friday, July 21, which will grant a three-day weekend, for people who have Saturday and Sunday off.