The Eid Al Fitr holiday will begin on Thursday, April 20 for workers in the public sector, authorities have announced.
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said the break would run from Ramadan 29 - which is marked on Thursday, April 20 - until Shawwal 3.
Shawwal 3 will fall on Sunday, April 23 if Ramadan lasts for 29 days and on Monday, April 24 if the holy month lasts for 30 days.
Shawwal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
The exact start date of Eid will be decided by the UAE's Moon-sighting committee.
It will mean a long weekend for government employees across the Emirates.
Employees will enjoy a five-day break if the duration of Ramadan is 30 days and return to work on Tuesday, April 25.
If Ramadan is 29 days, the Eid holiday will last four days.
Shawwal 3 is expected to fall on Sunday April 23, the International Astronomical Centre said.
What is Eid Al Fitr?
At the end of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr is the holiday that marks the completion of the month-long fasting period.
Practices vary around the world, but commonly they include morning prayers, public holidays, visiting family and friends, giving gifts and charity donations.
When is Eid Al Fitr and how is the start determined?
The end of the holy month will be confirmed in the same way as the beginning, by a Moon-sighting committee that is responsible for spotting the new crescent moon.
The duration of the holy month is decided by the Islamic calendar, which consists of 12 lunar months totalling either 354 or 355 days. That means each month can last either 29 or 30 days.
This year, in the UAE, Ramadan is expected to last 29 days, the Emirates Astronomical Society has said.
“Most likely, Ramadan this year will be for 29 days. Eid Al Fitr and the first of Shawwal will be on Friday, April 21,” Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the society's board of directors, told The National.
Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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