27-05-2025
- General
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
The Eid Al Adha 2025 dates have just been announced
The UAE moon-sighting committee has officially confirmed the Eid Al Adha start date for 2025.
It has now been confirmed that Eid Al Adha 2025 will officially begin on Friday June 6.
The confirmed Eid Al Adha start date means that we will enjoy a bumper four-day weekend lasting until Sunday June 8 in Abu Dhabi, considering Arafat Day will fall on Thursday June 5.
This means we will be off from Thursday June 5 to Sunday June 8.
The holiday dates can be confirmed because we now know the start date of Dhul Hijjah – and Eid al Adha takes place on Dhul Hijjah 9 to 12 as per the Hijri calendar.
The Hijri Calendar, also known as the Islamic Calendar, is a lunar calendar used by Muslims to determine the dates of religious observances and events. It is based on the cycles of the Moon, with each month starting with the sighting of the new crescent.
The calendar consists of 12 months, totalling either 354 or 355 days, which is shorter than the 365-day Gregorian Calendar that we all use today.
The beginning of the Hijri Calendar marks the migration (aka Hijra) of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) from Mecca to Medina.
The first month of the Islamic calendar is called Muharram. As the lunar year is approximately 10 to 11 days shorter than the solar year, the Hijri Calendar gradually falls behind the Gregorian Calendar by about 10 or 11 days each year (this is why holiday dates change every year on the Gregorian Calendar).
When it comes to UAE public holidays in 2025, after the Eid al Adha break, there will be a public holiday to mark the Islamic New Year (predicted for Thursday June 26). It falls on the first day of the month (Muharram) and is the first day of the Islamic lunar calendar.
The Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) birthday follows that (predicted for Friday September 5), but all dates are yet to be confirmed.
The Islamic Hijri calendar relies on the cycles of the moon, unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the sun.
The lunar calendar is used predominantly by Muslims around the world to determine the dates of religious events and observances.
What is Eid Al Adha?
Also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid Al Adha honours the Qur'anic story of Prophet Ibrahim.
The holiday coincides with the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and is observed through special prayers, family gatherings, charitable acts and the ritual sacrifice of livestock – typically sheep, goats, or cows – with the meat shared among family, friends and those in need.
What's Arafat Day?
Arafat Day is observed on the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijjah and marks the most important day of the Hajj pilgrimage. It's also a public holiday in the UAE and serves as a spiritual precursor to Eid Al Adha.
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