Private sector workers could be set for a one-week holiday in celebration of Eid Al Fitr.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation on Monday confirmed employees will be given paid leave from the 29th day of Ramadan, Monday, April 8, until the third day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
The first day of Shawwal heralds the beginning of Eid Al Fitr.
If Ramadan lasts for 29 days, this means the third day of Shawwal will be on Thursday, giving workers a four-day break.
In this instance, work will resume on Friday, April 12.
If Ramadan is observed for 30 days, as has been forecast, the Eid holiday will run until Friday, April 12. Work would then resume on Monday, April 15.
The UAE Cabinet on Sunday directed that federal government staff would be granted paid leave from Monday, April 8 until Sunday, April 14. Work will resume on Monday, April 15.
The announcement means some in the private sector could receive a holiday of up to nine days, when the weekends either side of the break are included.
Eid’s starting date will be confirmed by the UAE’s Moon-sighting committee.
Federal government and private sector workers are typically afforded the same number of holiday dates per year.
What is Eid Al Fitr?
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of the month-long fast for Muslims.
Ramadan is observed for either 29 or 30 days each year.
If the holy month lasts 29 days this year, the first day of the Eid Al Fitr festival will be on Tuesday, April 9.
If Ramadan enters a 30th day, Eid will begin on Wednesday, April 10.
Eid is a celebratory occasion marked by morning prayers, family get-togethers, the exchange of gifts between loved ones and charitable donations.
Many people take advantage of the extended break from work to travel overseas or take short trips within the region.
It is also an opportunity to buy new clothes to usher in the religious holiday.
Eid in UAE: Fireworks and concerts
The long holiday will give people in the UAE precious leisure time to enjoy a whole host of activities taking place during Eid.
Spectacular firework displays will light up the skies across the Emirates to mark the joyous occasion.
Dazzling light shows are planned for the first day of the Eid festival at locations such as Dubai Festival City (from 8pm) and Yas Bay waterfront (from 9pm on the first three nights of Eid).
Al Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi will host a fireworks display at 9pm on the first night of Eid.
The sprawling leisure hub will also stage an Eid-themed event on the second day of the festival, from 5pm to 11pm, featuring an outdoor cinema, a henna station, gaming and children's zones, roaming carnival performers and a DJ.
Eid will also set the stage for a series of crowd-pleasing music concerts and live shows taking place all over the UAE.
The popular Kuwaiti singer and actress Nawal El Kuwaitia will raise the curtain on the star-studded line-up at Dubai Opera House on Wednesday, April 10.
Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena will play host to the Nigerian rapper Rema on April 11 and a dynamic double act from Filipino favourites Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo on April 14.
There will be fun for all of the family in Abu Dhabi as the Scooby-Doo! and The Lost City of Gold musical takes over the Etihad Arena from April 12 to 14.
Take a break
Eid will also offer an opportunity to get in the holiday mood, without even leaving the Emirates.
There will be no shortage of staycation deals to choose from for families eager to make the most of additional time off from offices and classrooms.
The National has compiled a luxurious list of some of the best domestic delights to savour.
Those with a sense of adventure can book a stay at the Terra Cabins at JA Hatta Fort Hotel, nestled among the mountains of Hatta.
Scenic views and five-star service will be served up at Banyan Tree Dubai on Bluewaters Island.
Read more on the UAE's top staycation spots in our helpful guide here.
Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm - Ziyadd; 7.05pm - Barney Roy; 7.40pm - Dee Ex Bee; 8.15pm - Dubai Legacy; 8.50pm - Good Fortune; 9.25pm - Drafted; 10pm - Simsir
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
Bullet%20Train
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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SPEC SHEET
Display: 10.9" Liquid Retina IPS, 2360 x 1640, 264ppi, wide colour, True Tone, Apple Pencil support
Chip: Apple M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Memory: 64/256GB storage; 8GB RAM
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, Smart HDR
Video: 4K @ 25/25/30/60fps, full HD @ 25/30/60fps, slo-mo @ 120/240fps
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR, Centre Stage; full HD @ 25/30/60fps
Audio: Stereo speakers
Biometrics: Touch ID
I/O: USB-C, smart connector (for folio/keyboard)
Battery: Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours on cellular
Finish: Space grey, starlight, pink, purple, blue
Price: Wi-Fi – Dh2,499 (64GB) / Dh3,099 (256GB); cellular – Dh3,099 (64GB) / Dh3,699 (256GB)
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The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
Pots for the Asian Qualifiers
Pot 1: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China
Pot 2: Iraq, Uzbekistan, Syria, Oman, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Vietnam, Jordan
Pot 3: Palestine, India, Bahrain, Thailand, Tajikistan, North Korea, Chinese Taipei, Philippines
Pot 4: Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Yemen, Afghanistan, Maldives, Kuwait, Malaysia
Pot 5: Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Guam, Macau/Sri Lanka
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The specs: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Price, base: Dh399,999
Engine: Supercharged 6.2-litre V8
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 707hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 875Nm @ 4,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 16.8L / 100km (estimate)
