ABU DHABI: Astronomers have forecast the expected date for Eid-ul-Adha 2025 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), predicting that the Islamic festival will fall on Friday, June 6, 2025. The Emirates Astronomy Society released its latest lunar calendar projections, stating that the crescent moon marking the beginning of Dhul Hijjah is expected to be sighted on May 27, 2025, making May 28 the first day of the Islamic month.
The announcement was made by Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, who explained that the crescent moon would appear at 7:02 AM UAE time on May 27 and will be visible for approximately 38 minutes after sunset, increasing the likelihood of its being seen that evening. According to the UAE’s official public holiday calendar, the break for Arafat Day and Eid-ul-Adha 2025 will span 9 to 12 Dhul Hijjah (Islamic year 1445 Hijri), translating to a four-day public holiday.
If Eid-ul-Adha 2025 does indeed fall on a Friday, UAE residents can anticipate an extended weekend, with Thursday and Friday as official holidays, followed by Saturday and Sunday as part of the regular weekend. In Pakistan, Eid-ul-Adha 2025 is expected to be observed on Saturday, June 7, 2025, based on lunar calculations. However, the final confirmation will depend on the official moon sighting committee’s decision.
Following the extended Eid Al Fitr holiday, UAE residents are already looking forward to the next holiday and long weekend in 2025. The UAE mainly celebrates seven holidays every year, which are approved by the Cabinet. UAE public holidays are a vital part of the country’s cultural and religious calendar, observed by both the public and private sectors. These holidays are determined by the UAE government and include significant Islamic holidays like Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, which are based on moon sightings. This means the exact dates can sometimes change, adding an element of anticipation to the holiday planning.
Understanding UAE public holidays is crucial for effective planning and compliance with UAE labor laws. It’s also important to appreciate the cultural and religious significance of these holidays, which are deeply embedded in the UAE’s identity and heritage. According to legislation passed by the UAE Cabinet, the public and private sectors will observe the following holidays in 2025: Gregorian New Year on January 1 for one day, Eid Al Fitr from Shawwal 1 to 3 for three days, Arafat Day on Thu Al-Hijjah 9 for one day, Eid Al Adha from Thu Al-Hijjah 10 to 12 for three days, Hijri New Year on Muharram 1 for one day, Prophet’s Birthday on Rabi’ Al Awal 12 for one day, and National Day on December 2-3 for two days.
The legislation, published in the official gazette on May 15, 2024, came into effect on January 1, 2025. Expected dates for 2025 UAE public holidays include Arafat Day on June 5, Eid Al Adha from June 6 to June 8, Hijri New Year on June 26, and Prophet’s Birthday on September 4.
The UAE Cabinet declared that Arafat Day will be on the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah and will be a one-day holiday. This will be immediately followed by Eid Al Adha, which will be from Dhul Hijjah 10 to 12 in the Islamic calendar. Current predictions show that the holiday dates will begin on Thursday, June 5, 2025, with Arafat Day, followed by Eid Al Adha from Friday, June 6, until Sunday, June 8.
If Eid indeed falls on a Friday, UAE residents are expected to enjoy an extended break. Eid Al Adha, one of the most significant festivals in the Islamic calendar, is expected to fall on Friday, June 6, 2025, according to astronomical forecasts released by the Emirates Astronomy Society this week.
The crescent moon marking the beginning of the month of Dhu Al Hijjah is expected to be visible on May 27, making May 28 the first day of the month. Ibrahim Al Jarwan noted that the crescent will appear at 07:02 am UAE time on May 27 and will remain visible for approximately 38 minutes after sunset, allowing for its likely sighting that evening.
Should the astronomical forecast hold, the Day of Arafah, a day of fasting and reflection observed on the 9th of Dhu Al Hijjah, will fall on Thursday, June 5, followed by Eid Al Adha on Friday, June 6. In line with the UAE's official public holiday calendar, the break for Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha spans from the 9th to the 12th of Dhu Al Hijjah (Islamic year 1445 AH), equivalent to four days of public holiday.
However, as with all Islamic holidays, the exact date of Eid Al Adha is subject to the official moon sighting, which may shift the date by a day. If the crescent is not visible on May 27, the start of Dhu Al Hijjah would be delayed to May 29, making Eid Al Adha fall on Saturday, June 7 instead of Friday. In that case, the public holiday would still span four days—from Saturday through Tuesday—but would not align as neatly with the weekend.
The final holiday schedule will depend on the official announcement by UAE authorities closer to the date. Eid Al Adha, also known as the “Feast of Sacrifice,” commemorates the Qur’anic story of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, a test of faith that was divinely interrupted and replaced with a ram. The occasion is celebrated with prayers, family gatherings, and charitable acts, including the ritual sacrifice of livestock, with the meat distributed to relatives, friends, and the underprivileged.
The festival also coincides with the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage, an annual journey to Mecca undertaken by millions of Muslims around the world. Eid Al Adha is the second of two major Islamic holidays, the first being Eid Al Fitr, which follows the month of Ramadan. The UAE's next public holiday will be Arafat Day, followed directly by Eid Al Adha, likely on Thursday, June 5, 2025, and from Friday, June 6 to Sunday, June 8, 2025. This amounts to four days of official downtime, provided the Moon sighting doesn't throw a celestial curveball.
