Longer holidays for Eid Al Fitr announced in Indonesia

Dubai - A total of 24 days in the 2020 holiday calendar.

The government of Indonesia has added four more days to the 2020 holiday calendar, taking the total to 24.

The decision to add more days is an attempt to boost the country's economy, The Jakarta Post said, citing Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy.

"More days off can also encourage the public to get to know Indonesia better [by taking a holiday]. Everyone can make the best of this opportunity," Muhadjir said, adding that the new arrangements for the 2020 holidays and collective leave days were in accordance with President Joko Widodo's wish to evaluate the previous decision, the report added.

According to the report, the additional days will be as follows:

> May 28 and 29 (Thursday and Friday), for the celebration of Eid Al Fitr, which falls on May 24 and 25 (Sunday and Monday, subject to the sighting of the moon). The new arrangement will add to the three existing collective leave days of May 22, 26 and 27 (Friday, Tuesday and Wednesday).

> August 21 (Friday), for the celebration of the Islamic New Year, year 1442 by the Hijri calendar, which falls on August 20 (Thursday).

> October 30 (Friday), for the celebration of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which falls on October 29 (Thursday).