Muslims pray at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
Muslims pray at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National

Eid Al Fitr 2018 holiday announced for UAE private sector



The Eid Al Fitr holiday for private-sector employees will be Shawwal 1-2, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced on Tuesday.

Depending on when Eid begins, Shawwal 1 will either coincide with Friday, June 15, or Saturday, June 16.

"It is decided that the first and second days of the month of Shawwal 1439 Hijri shall be a paid vacation for all private-sector employees on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr," a circular issued by Minister Nasser Al Hameli said.

If Eid falls on Friday (making Ramadan 29 days), private-sector companies be closed until Saturday, with work resuming on Sunday. Should it fall on Saturday (making Ramadan 30 days), they will remain closed until Sunday, with work resuming on Monday. The official start of Eid Al Fitr is subject to the moon sighting.

The holiday for public-sector employees was announced by the authority on Sunday. Government ministries and departments will be closed from Thursday, resuming work on either Monday or Tuesday, depending on when Eid is called.

The ministry conveyed greetings to the President Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the rulers of the Emirates.

Eid Al Fitr marks one of two holy feasts celebrated by Muslims worldwide. The first day of Eid Al Fitr – which translates in Arabic to the feast of breaking the fast – coincides with the first day of the lunar calendar month of Shawwal.

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Read more:

Eid Al Fitr 2018 holiday for Dubai schools announced

Eid Al Fitr will most likely be June 15, says International Astronomical Centre

From Thailand to Jordan: Six affordable Eid Al Fitr holiday packages 

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Celebrations begin with Eid prayers at fajr – or dawn. The prayers are always performed in a group and involve particular rituals and a sermon unique to other prayers practised by Muslims.

Muslims are advised to follow the tradition of Prophet Mohammed and bathe before Eid prayers, wearing perfume and new clothes. Muslims see the prayers as a chance to exchange Eid greetings and meet neighbours, family and friends.

Muslims then celebrate Eid Al Fitr for three days by visiting families and loved ones. More recently, it has also become common practice to use the Eid holiday to travel or carry out extra-curricular activities.

For more information on UAE's public holidays, visit our UAE public holidays 2018 page.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

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Warner 48 no, Finch 52 no

Australia win series 2-0

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Manchester United v Barcelona, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.