emirates7 - The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources in the UAE has announced a five-day paid holiday for public sector employees, in observance of Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha.

The Eid break will run from Monday, May 25, and continue through Friday, May 29.

Normal working hours will resume on Monday, June 1.

Dhu Al Hijjah moon sighting event on May 17
Authorities in Dubai will hold a public moon-sighting event for the Dhu Al Hijjah crescent on May 17, 2026, with astronomical calculations indicating that Eid Al Adha is likely to begin on Wednesday, May 27.

The event, organised by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department at the Jebel Nazwa Trail, will begin at 5pm and continue until after sunset when the crescent moon observation is completed.

The gathering is expected to attract strong public participation, reflecting the importance of crescent sighting as one of the established Islamic traditions marking the beginning of Hijri months.

Likely start date for Dhu Al Hijjah
Based on astronomical calculations, the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah is expected to fall on Monday, May 18.

According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomical Society and member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, the new moon for Dhu Al Hijjah will be born on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 12:01am UAE time.

When will Eid Al Adha begin?
Eid Al Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Based on the expected calendar calculations:

Day of Arafah is likely to fall on Tuesday, May 26

Eid Al Adha is expected to begin at sunrise on Wednesday, May 27

The Day of Arafah, observed one day before Eid Al Adha, is considered the most significant day of the Hajj pilgrimage.

However, as with all Islamic occasions, the final dates remain subject to the official moon sighting announcement.