9-day break in UAE: Eid Al Fitr holiday announced for public sector employees

The UAE government announced a one-week holiday for its public sector employees on Sunday. Starting Monday, April 8, federal government employees will enjoy the festivities until Sunday, April 14. Regular working hours would then resume on Monday, April 15.

Since Saturday and Sunday are the official weekend days in the UAE, federal government workers will be granted a nine-day break to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, marking the end of the month-long fasting period.

Irrespective of the moon sighting, the holiday will officially begin on April 8. As per the Islamic calendar, Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on when the Moon is sighted. Eid Al Fitr is celebrated on the first of Shawwal, the month after Ramadan.

As the end of the holy month of Ramadan approaches, excitement mounts in the UAE as residents gear up to celebrate the longest public holiday of the year