Eid al-fitr 2020: when to expect the holiday?
The first day of Ramadan was on Friday April 24, it is expected that Eid al-Fitr in Dubai will fall on Sunday May 24 this year. Eid is declared after 30 days of fasting following the start of Ramadan but is dependent on the sighting of the moon. A public holiday will also be confirmed closer to the time.
Both public and private sector employees can expect holiday from work to mark Eid al-Fitr. The final announcements for the dates for Eid al-Fitr will be confirmed by the UAE government towards the end of Ramadan.
Eid-al-Fitr should start on May 24, 2020. Expats and residents in the UAE will be able to observe a three day holiday. With Eid set to fall on Sunday, May 24, this could see the weekend extended from Friday, May 22 to Sunday night. The final dates for Eid al-Fitr however will be issued by the UAE government closer to the end of Ramadan.
Due to Covid-19, Ramadan has been celebrated differently this year, all around the world the pandemic has stalled caused a lot of panic. The Emirates Fatwa Council has issued five fatwas related to fasting, prayers and alms-giving during the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to heavy work pressures, the frontline medical workers are permitted to not fast while on duty as fasting could lead to weak immune system or disturb their medical profession.
Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, the other pillars are faith, prayer, charity and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. The holy month for Muslims believe it is when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. The UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia observe Eid on the same dates – while Oman calls Ramadan independently of the rest of the Arabian Gulf.
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