Related: Eid Al Adha 2023 holidays announced for private sector
Muslims in the UAE and across the globe will come together to celebrate Eid Al Adha next week.
The religious festival is the second of the two Eids held during the year and considered to be the most important.
It is observed during Dhu Al Hijja, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar, which began on Monday.
Dhu Al Hijja is considered one of the four sacred months for Muslims, called Al Ash-hur Al Hurom.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage also takes place during the month, beginning on June 26.
When is Eid Al Adha and how is it marked?
Eid Al Adha – which means “festival of the sacrifice” will begin on Wednesday, June 28.
It falls on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijja, two days after the start of Hajj.
The sacrifice the holiday commemorates is explained in the Quran, which tells of how the Prophet Ibrahim was asked by God in a dream to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as a test of his faith.
As with other religious holidays in the Emirates, it is a time for friends and family to gather, often over meals, and reflect on their lives and faith.
It is customary for a family to have a goat or sheep butchered at an abattoir and to share the meat between themselves, their relatives and the underprivileged.
How long is the Eid holiday?
Both public and private sector employees will enjoy as many as six days off for the holiday this year.
Staff will be granted paid leave from Tuesday, June 27, until Friday, June 30, authorities confirmed.
The private sector break was announced on Monday and is in line with the holiday allowance confirmed for government workers earlier.
What is Hajj?
Large numbers of Muslims travel to Makkah to perform Hajj each year, with many also heading further north to the city of Madinah.
All Muslims able to do so are required to make the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in their lifetime. Hajj and the other four pillars of Islam form a foundation of life for Muslims.
More than two million Muslims are expected to take part this year, in a return to pre-pandemic numbers.
The event is a deeply spiritual experience for Muslims.
Eid Al Adha 2022 – in pictures
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
