UAE announces Eid Al Adha 2025 holidays for private sector
Four-day break coincides with Arafat Day and Eid celebrations
DUBAI: The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced an official four-day paid holiday for private sector employees in celebration of Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha in 2025.
The break will run from Thursday, June 5, through Sunday, June 8. Work will resume on Monday, June 9.
The announcement follows the recent confirmation by the moon-sighting committee on Tuesday, May 27, which identified the crescent marking the start of the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijjah on Wednesday, May 28. This lunar observation is crucial in determining the dates for Eid and related holidays in the UAE.
On the occasion of Arafat Day and Eid Al-Adha, the period from Thursday 5 June to Sunday 8 June 2025 will be an official paid holiday for all private sector employees across the UAE. Adha Mubarak. #MOHRE #UAEGov #UAE #EidAlAdha pic.twitter.com/vywJW8g4Jl
— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) May 29, 2025
When will Eid holiday begin?
Private sector workers will observe the holiday beginning from 9 Dhu Al Hijjah to 12 Dhu Al Hijjah in the Hijri calendar, corresponding to the June dates. This four-day period includes Arafat Day on June 5 and the main Eid Al Adha celebrations from June 6 to 8.
The Eid Al Adha holiday allows employees an extended weekend to spend time with family and take part in traditional festivities.
Do public and private sectors share the same Eid holidays?
Federal government employees will observe the same Eid holiday period, following a unified holiday policy implemented in the UAE to ensure equal breaks for both public and private sector workers. Employees in the public sector are also expected to return to work on Monday, June 9.
Employees required to work during the official holiday are entitled to compensation either through an alternative day off or payment that includes the basic salary plus at least 50 per cent additional pay for the day worked. This policy protects workers’ rights during national and religious holidays.
Why do Eid dates change every year?
Eid Al Adha is one of several UAE public holidays determined by the lunar calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar commonly used worldwide. The lunar year is shorter by approximately 10 to 12 days, causing Islamic holidays to shift annually within the Gregorian calendar. Each Islamic month lasts 29 or 30 days based on moon visibility, a practice followed to maintain religious observance accuracy.
Eid Al Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God and is observed with prayers, charitable giving, and the sacrifice of livestock. The meat from the sacrifices is shared among family members, friends, and those in need, symbolising generosity and community spirit.