As the fasting and celebratory times of Ramadan gain traction here in the UAE, residents are gearing up to plan their Eid holidays which will coincide with the summer holidays of the schools across the country. It’s time when a number of Emiratis will head abroad for vacations to cooler climes, while expats will go to their homelands to spend holidays with their friends and relatives.

It’s an opportunity for UAE residents to prolong their holidays by starting vacations just before the Eid Al Fitr holidays – which are expected to fall in the middle of the week next month, July.

Going by the Islamic Hijri calendar, if Ramadan ends after 29 days, Eid Al Fitr could fall on Tuesday, July 5.

This means private sector is likely to have a two-day holiday on Tuesday, July 5, and Wednesday, July 6.

Since Thursday would be a working day, private sector employees can convert it into a 5-day weekend by obtaining a day’s leave on Thursday, to add to the weekend on Friday-Saturday.

However, the public sector could have a straight 5-day break, if it is granted a three-day holiday in tandem with the two-day weekend.

Last year, the UAE’s public sector was awarded holidays from 29th Ramadan till 3rd of Shawwal on the eve of Eid Al Fitr.

If Ramadan spans 30 days, private sector will have straight four-day holidays – from Wednesday, July 6, to Saturday, July 9 – including the weekend. Public sector could also have four days.

It’s important to mention here, that the Hijri calendar spans either 29 or 30 days.