A public holiday is one of the things that residents of the UAE hold dear. The Emirates is a country that has a mix of long weekends throughout the year due to its calendar that incorporates both the western and Islamic holidays. But 2033 is coming out to be a very special one.
With this kind of movement of the Islamic Hijri calendar relative to the Gregorian calendar, the UAE is now expected to celebrate four different Eid festivities in the year 2033; a rarity that does not happen very often.
This is how it all works and what this may have on your annual leave arrangements.
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Why Four Eids are Possible?
The Gregorian calendar is approximately 10 to 11 days more than the Islamic calendar. Due to this reason, Islamic holidays are earlier every year.
Both the Eid Al Fitr and the Eid Al Adha festivals are based on moon phases and the Hijra calendar. In the meantime, Eid Al Etihad, which is also officially known as the UAE National Day, has a fixed Gregorian date.
This is the reason why the debate surrounding Eid holidays in UAE has become hot in advance of 2033.
Eid Al Fitr 1 – January 2033
New Year day falls on Saturday January 1, 2033. The first Eid Al Fitr of the year is expected immediately afterwards.
Assuming that Ramadan is 30 days then the three days of Shawwal will be predicted to be on:
- Monday January 3
- Tuesday January 4
- Wednesday January 5
- That may be a five-day long weekend to open up the year.
In case Ramadan takes place in 29 days, then the leave would probably be a four-day weekend instead.
In any case, 2033 may begin on a good note.
Eid Al Adha – March 2033
The second one is followed by Eid Al Adha that follows the Hajj pilgrimage that takes place annually.
It starts with Arafat day (Dhu Al Hijjah 9), and 3 days of Eid (Dhu Al Hijjah 10, 11 and 12).
It is projected that the break will last between:
- Thursday March 9
- Through Sunday March 13
- That would provide four-day long weekend to residents.
Pursuant to the laws of UAE public holidays, in case Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha falls on weekends, the same cannot be shifted to a different weekday. This implies the break will not be moved though a part of it will be on Saturday or Sunday.
These two big festivals form the heart of the UAE Eid holidays which are followed annually.
Eid Al Etihad – December 2033
UAE will have the 62 nd National Day in the year 2033 and it is called officially Eid Al Etihad.
Public holiday for celebrate Eid in UAE is determined to be:
- Friday December 2
- Saturday December 3
This would form a three day long weekend provided that the dates do not change. There is however the possibility that any of the days might be moved to the earlier days of the week and this may give the residents four days off.
Eid Al Etihad has a predetermined date in a year unlike the religious Eids.
Eid Al Fitr 2 – December 2033
This is where the interest comes in.
- Since Islamic calendar is shorter, it is expected that the second Eid Al Fitr will be in December 2033.
- It is predicted to start on Friday December 23 and possibly go on till Sunday December 25.
Should this be confirmed, it would probably introduce another three-day weekend, just before the year ends, that is residents would have Eid in UAE two times in the same calendar year.
Important Note
All the dates are subject to official sighting of the moon and confirmation as near as possible to the date. The time will precisely depend on the number of days that future Hijri months will have of 29 or 30 days.
However, in case of prophesies, 2033 is going to be a spectacular year, with two Eid Al Fitr festivals, one Eid Al Adha and Eid Al Etihad.
Four Eid. One year. There are even a lot of long weekends worth planning.
