Dubai announces Eid Al Fitr 2026 holidays for government employees
Image used for illustrative purpose. Photo: WAM
Dubai has announced the Eid Al Fitr holiday for public sector employees as the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end.
According to Dubai’s Government Human Resources Department, government workers will enjoy a four-day holiday from Thursday, March 19 to Sunday, March 22, 2026. Employees will return to work on Monday, March 23.
Eid Al Fitr is the festival that marks the end of Ramadan, the month when Muslims fast during the day. It is one of the most important celebrations in the Islamic calendar.
The UAE will try to sight the crescent moon of Shawwal on the evening of Tuesday, March 18, after Maghrib prayer. The sighting of the new moon decides the first day of Eid because the Islamic calendar follows the movement of the moon.
Earlier, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation also announced the Eid holiday schedule for both government and private sector workers across the UAE.
For federal government employees, the holiday will start on Thursday, March 19 and continue until Sunday, March 22. Work will begin again on Monday, March 23.
Private sector employees will get holidays from Thursday, March 19 until Saturday, March 21. Employees who normally work on Sundays will return to work on Sunday, March 22.
Authorities also said that if Ramadan lasts 30 days, the private sector holiday could be extended to Sunday, March 22.
Meanwhile, the International Astronomy Centre said that seeing the Shawwal crescent on March 18 is unlikely. Because of this, experts believe Ramadan will complete 30 days.
Based on these astronomical calculations, Eid Al Fitr in the UAE is expected to fall on March 20, 2026, although the final date will depend on the official moon sighting.
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