Public sector employees in the UAE are set to receive a five-day holiday for Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha 2026, according to an announcement by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.
The holiday will run from Monday, May 25, to Friday, May 29, 2026. With the regular Saturday and Sunday weekend included, many government employees could enjoy an extended break of up to nine days. Work is scheduled to resume on Monday, June 1, 2026.
Sharjah Government Employees Could Get 10 Days Off
Government employees in Sharjah are expected to receive an even longer break. Because Sharjah follows a four-day workweek, with Friday, Saturday and Sunday as the weekend, the five-day Eid holiday could turn into a 10-day break for public sector workers in the emirate.
This gives Sharjah employees one of the longest expected Eid Al Adha breaks in the UAE this year.
Eid Al Adha Dates Still Depend on Moon Sighting
Although the public sector holiday dates have been announced, the final Islamic calendar dates remain linked to the official sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent. The UAE moon-sighting committee is expected to meet on May 17, 2026, to observe the crescent. Astronomical calculations suggest that Dhul Hijjah may begin on Monday, May 18, 2026.
Based on that forecast, Arafah Day is expected to fall on Tuesday, May 26, followed by Eid Al Adha on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. For more details on the moon-sighting process and the public event in Dubai, read our guide on Dhul Hijjah moon sighting in Dubai. Internal link anchor suggestion: Dhul Hijjah moon sighting in Dubai
Why Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha Matter
Arafah Day falls on the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah and is considered one of the most important days in the Islamic calendar. It is also a central part of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, when pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat near Makkah. Eid Al Adha follows Arafah Day and is one of the two major Islamic holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world.
The occasion coincides with the Hajj season, during which millions of Muslims travel to Makkah in Saudi Arabia to perform the fifth pillar of Islam.
How the Date Calculation Works
The final start date of Dhul Hijjah depends on whether the crescent is sighted. If the moon is sighted on Sunday, May 17, then Dhul Hijjah will begin on Monday, May 18. In that case, Arafah Day would be observed on Tuesday, May 26, and Eid Al Adha would begin on Wednesday, May 27.
If the crescent is not sighted, Dhul Qadah will complete 30 days, and Dhul Hijjah will begin on Tuesday, May 19. This would shift Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha by one day.
The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology, affiliated with the University of Sharjah, has predicted that Wednesday, May 27, is likely to be the first day of Eid Al Adha in the UAE, based on astronomical calculations.
Long Eid Break Expected Across the UAE
The announced holiday gives UAE public sector employees a clear timeline to plan for the Eid period. For most federal government employees, the break is expected to last from May 25 to May 31, including the weekend. For Sharjah government employees, the holiday could stretch even longer because of the emirate’s three-day weekend system.
While the exact religious dates will be officially confirmed after the moon sighting, UAE residents can already expect an extended Eid Al Adha holiday period in 2026.