Up to 11-day Eid Al Fitr break: Islamic holiday dates for GCC countries revealed

[Editor's note: This article was first published on April 6. With just a few days to go for the end of Ramadan, this list will be updated as more GCC countries announce their Eid holiday dates]

The holy month of Ramadan is almost at its end, and excitement for Eid Al Fitr is at its peak as residents around the country gear up for the highly anticipated long weekend that the Islamic festival often brings.

The holiday, celebrated after the holy month on the first of Shawwal — the month that follows Ramadan in the Hijri calendar — will mark the first long weekend of 2023. It is likely to be from Thursday, April 20 to Sunday, April 23.

The holy month began in the Emirates on Thursday, March 23. Islamic months last for 29 or 30 days, depending on when the moon is sighted. As per astronomical calculations, Ramadan will last for 29 days this year.

As excitement builds for the beloved festival in the UAE, for which airfares have begun rising and travel inquiries and bookings have already started — with most aggregators saying packages have sold out — here are the likely dates of the Eid Al Fitr weekend across the GCC.

Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia has said that Eid Al Fitr holiday will begin from Friday, April 21. The holidays will be for a period of four days and regular working hours will commence from Tuesday, April 25. This applies to private and non-profit sectors in the Kingdom.

Kuwait

A 5-day Eid Al Fitr break has been announced for public sector employees in Kuwait. Beginning from Friday, April 21, the holiday will last till Tuesday, April 25. Official working hours will resume on Wednesday, April 26, Kuwait News Agency said in a tweet.

Oman

Oman announced a 5-day Eid Al Fitr break for employees in the government and private sector. The holidays will commence on Thursday, April 20 and end on Monday, April 24. Work will resume on Tuesday, April 25.

Qatar

Qatar announced that some employees in the country will get up to 11 days off for Eid Al Fitr from April 19 to 29.

The Ruler’s Court announced Eid Al Fitr holidays for the employees of the ministries and other government agencies, public bodies and institutions on Sunday. According to the announcement, the official holidays will start on April 19, Wednesday, and end on April 27, Thursday. Work will resume on April 30 after the weekend.

For banks and financial institutions working under the supervision of Qatar Central Bank (QCB), and Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), the Governor of QCB shall specify the start and the end of the holiday.

Bahrain

Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, issued a circular on the Eid Al Fitr holidays. The Kingdom's ministries and public institutions will close on the day of Eid Al Fitr and the two days that follow.

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