Eid Al Fitr is one of the most important festivals in the Islamic calendar, and it marks the end of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan. Eid Al Fitr brings the first long weekend of 2023 and residents in the UAE are already planning for the Eid Al Fitr holiday, and I hope that they have a wonderful time celebrating with their loved ones.
Ramadan is a month-long Islamic observance that lasts for 29 or 30 days depending on the sighting of the new moon. Ramadan began in the Emirates on March 23rd, and as per astronomical calculations, it is expected that Ramadan will last for 29 days this year. This means that Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is likely to fall on April 21 or 22, depending on the sighting of the new moon.
Eid Al Fitr holidays in the UAE are from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3, and that Shawwal 1, 2 and 3 are holidays as well. As per the astronomical calculations, it’s expected that Shawwal 1, which marks the first day of Eid, will fall on Friday, April 21.
This means that the holiday will begin on Thursday, April 20, which is Ramadan 29, and continue until Sunday, April 23, which is Shawwal 3. UAE will have a long weekend to celebrate Eid Al Fitr and spend time with their loved ones. Even though astronomical calculations can determine the beginning and end of lunar months, the actual dates will be announced after the crescent Moon is sighted.
