For Muslims, the Islamic holiday of Eid Al Adha is a profoundly spiritual occasion that provides a four-day weekend in the United Arab Emirates. Friends and family gather for a day of prayers, celebration, and feasting on this festival, which is observed the day after Arafah, the holiest day in Islam. This year, employees in the public and private sectors will be granted four paid holidays in observance of the festival. The weekend of June 15–16 runs into Tuesday, June 18.
On Sunday, June 16, the tenth day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, is designated as Eid Al Adha. Muslims don their finest attire on this day and, shortly after sunrise, make their way to mosques and expansive outdoor areas known as mullahs to offer special prayers. Most houses of worship swiftly become packed with thousands of men, women, children, and senior citizens.
Prayer rooms usually stay open starting with the Fajr (morning) prayer, and continuing until the special prayer begins with the Eid takbir (chants) echoing from mosques. Based on a variety of sources, these are the prayer timings in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah:
Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi city: 5.50am
- Al Ain: 5.44am
(According to the interactive e-calendar published by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre)
Dubai: 5.45am
(According to the Hijri calendar published by Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai)
Sharjah: 5.44am
(According to the Hijri calendar published by the Sharjah Islamic Affairs Department)
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