Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide as it marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. Eid Al Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan is expected to fall on 09 or 10 April, subject to the sighting of the moon.

Eid al-Fitr does not always fall on the same Gregorian day, as the start of any lunar month varies based on when the new moon is sighted by local religious authorities. The holiday is known under various other names in different languages and holiday days may also varies across different countries around the world.

Key Mosques in Middle East

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Grand Bur Dubai Mosque, UAE
• Jumeirah Mosque, UAE
• Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque And Center, UAE
• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, UAE
• Sharjah, King Faisal Mosque, UAE
• Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman
• The Grand Mosque, Kuwait
• The Mosque of Ibn Tulun, Egypt
• Mustafa Mahmoud Mosque, Egypt
• Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque, Egypt
• Imam Abdul Wahhab, Qatar
• Hassan II Mosque, Morocco
• Masjid Al-Haram Grand Mosque, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
• The Prophet’s Mosque, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
• In Bahrain: The Sunni Endowments Council announced that the Eid AlFitr prayers will be held at its affiliate mosques and prayer areas at 0538 hours local time, noting that it has prepared 19 fully-equipped Eid Al-Fitr prayer areas, in addition to prayer areas at many schools for non-Arabic speaking communities across the kingdom’s governorates. The following prayer areas will be in effect until 10 April:
  • East Hidd (Julai’a neighbourhood)
  • Hidd (Block 111)
  • Muharraq (Near Muharraq Cemetery)
  • Al Sayyah
  • Busaiteen
  • Arad (Arad Fort square)
  • Diyar Al-Muharraq (south of Al-Baraha Marquet)
  • Salmaniya
  • Al Riffa Al Shamali (Estiqlal Walkway)
  • East Riffa (Near Riffa Fort)
  • Al Hajiyat (Block 939)
  • Hoorat Sanad
  • Askar (Heritage Village)
  • Zallaq (Zallaq Youth Centre)
  • Hamad Town (Area opposite Hamad Kanoo Health Centre- Roundabout 17)
  • Hamad Town Youth Centre (Roundabout 2)
  • Budaiya
  • Salman City (Block 581-Road 8101)
  • New Al-Ramli Housing area

Country-wise holiday list for Eid al-Fitr celebration

Employees in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are expected to get a three-to-five-day holiday, beginning on 08 April, depending on the local moon sighting and start date of the religious festival. The weekend will further prolong the Eid break.

UAE

(Eid Al Fitr expected to fall on 10 April)

The Emirates Astronomy Society has indicated that Eid Al Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan is expected to fall on 10 April.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation confirmed that employees will receive paid leave from the 29th day of Ramadan, which falls on 08 April. The first day of Shawwal marks the commencement of Eid Al Fitr.

The UAE government on 31 March, announced a one-week holiday for its public sector employees, from 08 to 14 April. Regular working hours would then resume on 15 April. Authorities have informed that, irrespective of the moon sighting, the holiday will officially begin on 08 April. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai also declared that the Eid Al Fitr holidays for private schools, universities, and nurseries will begin from 08 to 14 April.

SAUDI ARABIA

(Eid Al Fitr expected to fall on 09 April)

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has declared a four-day Eid Al-Fitr holiday for the private and non-profit sectors in the Kingdom.

The Eid Al Fitr holiday will commence at the end of the workday on 07 April. Given that Friday and Saturday are the official weekend days in the kingdom,residents and workers in Saudi Arabia will get six consecutive days off from 08 to 13 April.

Furthermore, the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) declared that financial institutions across the country will close for the Eid Al-Fitr holiday at the close of business on 04 April and will reopen operations on 14 April.

KUWAIT

(Eid Al Fitr expected to fall on 09 April)

Most employees in the country will have a three-day holiday for Eid Al Fitr, from 09 to 11 April, followed by the official weekend on 13 to 14 April.

QATAR

(Eid Al Fitr expected to fall on 10 April)

According to a statement of Qatar Calendar House and the Kuwaiti Al-Ojairi Scientific Center, Eid Al-Fitr will be on 10 April in Qatar.

On the occasion of Eid Al Fitr, the Amiri Diwan (Government office in Doha) announced that the Eid holiday for ministries, other government entities, and public institutions starts on 07 April, and ends on 15 April. Employees are to resume work on 16 April.

OMAN

(Eid Al Fitr expected to fall on 10 April)

Eid Al Fitr holidays in Oman will likely fall between 08 to 11 April. It is expected that Eid Al Fitr will fall on 10 April in Oman, depending on the moon sighting. Oman observes its weekend on 12 and 13 April.

BAHRAIN

(Eid Al Fitr expected to fall on 10 April)

Eid al-Fitr in 2024 is anticipated to occur on 10 April, in Bahrain, contingent upon the sighting of the moon. Public holidays are scheduled between 10 and 12 April. The weekend is observed on 12 and 13 April.

JORDAN

(Eid Al Fitr expected to fall on 09 April)

Eid al-Fitr will begin on 09 April and continue until 12 April in Jordan. An official statement by the Jordanian Prime Minister mandates the suspension of work for all ministries, official departments, public institutions, public universities, municipalities, joint services councils, the Greater Amman Municipality, and government-owned companies during the Eid al-Fitr holiday period. However,
ministries and official departments with essential operations will continue functioning.

EGYPT

(Eid Al Fitr expected to fall on 09 April)

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced that public employees will enjoy a six-day break, including the weekend, from 09 to 14 April to celebrate the feast of Eid Al-Fitr. This holiday applies to employees in ministries, government institutions, public authorities, local administration units, and companies in the public and public enterprise sectors.

Significant Risks during Ramadan 2024

Recommendations

For Business Organisations

• Remain abreast with government directives and regulations related to Eid Al Fitr.
• Stay updated on any official announcements regarding adjusted work schedules or public holidays during the festival.
• Communicate with employees and clients to manage expectations and mitigate any potential impact on business activities.
• Stay updated on any official notifications or advisories regarding traffic management measures during the festival.
• Allow additional travel time and consider alternative routes when commuting to event venues or conducting business in areas prone to congestion.

For Individuals

• Large gatherings can be anticipated in and around the Mosques to perform the Eid prayers across the countries.
• Maintain situational awareness and plan commute, as large number of food stalls are likely be set up near mosques and along the roadsides, traffic congestion can be experienced in these areas during and after the prayer hours.
• Report any suspicious activity or unattended luggage/item to the police immediately.
• It is advised to refrain from indulging in any religious/political debates, in both online and offline platforms as religious sentiments are likely to remain high.
• It is advised to adhere to rules regarding prohibition of filming or clicking photos during prayer time inside the mosque.
• Air traffic is expected to be high during the holiday season amid the festive rush in many countries around this time. Airports are likely to follow elaborate security arrangements, hence travellers are advised to reach airports well in advance.
• Shipments and logistics may face delays around this time.