The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have started confirming their public holiday dates for Eid al-Adha 2025. Both the public and private sectors will get extended holidays across the region for this occasion.
The Eid al-Adha 2025 holiday in the Arab world is a significant event in the Islamic calendar, marked by an extended holiday across the region. This period is a time for Muslims to come together, celebrate their faith and engage in various religious observances.
The timing of Eid al-Adha is determined by the lunar cycle and the sighting of the crescent moon, which signals the start of the new lunar month in the Islamic calendar. Moon-sighting committees across the region are responsible for confirming the sighting of the moon days ahead of the holiday. If the moon is sighted, the following day is declared the first day of the new month, and Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Several countries in the GCC region have already confirmed their official holiday dates, including:
UAE
According to legislation passed by the UAE Cabinet, the UAE public and private sectors will observe Arafat Day on Dhu al-Hijjah 9 and Eid al-Adha from Dhu al-Hijjah 10 to 12, culminating in a total of 4 days off.
Qatar
The nation has announced a 5-day holiday for Eid al-Adha 2025. The official holiday will extend from Dhu al-Hijjah 9 to 13, according to a recent cabinet decision that was published in the Official Gazette. The decision includes ministries, other government agencies, and public bodies and institutions.
Kuwait
Kuwait’s Cabinet has announced a suspension of work across all government agencies and public institutions from June 5 through June 9. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, June 10, while institutions with nonstandard operations will set their own holiday schedules.
Oman
According to Royal Decree No. 88/2022, Oman will observe the Eid al-Adha 2025 holiday from Dhu al-Hijjah 9 to 12. Since the first day of Eid is expected to fall on a Friday this year, an additional compensatory day off will be granted to ensure a full holiday period for the public and private sectors. If Eid begins on Friday, June 6, Oman will enjoy an extended holiday period. The public can expect a long weekend stretching from Thursday, June 5, till Monday, June 9.
Bahrain and Saudi Arabia
Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have not yet announced their official holiday dates for Eid al-Adha 2025. In Bahrain, the holiday period last year included the Day of Arafa, Eid al-Adha, and the following two days. If the same dates are announced this year, the holiday in Bahrain will extend from Dhu al-Hijjah 9 until Dhu al-Hijjah 12.
In Saudi Arabia, a four-day holiday for the private sector was announced in 2024, including Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha. If the same dates are announced this year, the holiday in Saudi Arabia will also extend from Dhu al-Hijjah 9 until Dhu al-Hijjah 12.
However, the Saudi Exchange announced today that trading will discontinue at the end of June 4 and resume on June 11, meaning the exchange will be closed for 6 days from June 5 until June 10.
When will the holiday dates be confirmed?
The International Astronomical Centre has announced that the crescent moon marking the start of Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH will be observed on Tuesday, May 27, across the Islamic world. Engineer Mohammad Shawkat Odeh, director of the Abu Dhabi-based center, stated that the moon sighting will be possible using telescopes in parts of Central and Western Asia, as well as most of Africa and Europe. Additionally, it may be visible to the naked eye in many areas of the Americas.
In Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court has called on Muslims throughout the Kingdom to observe the crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah on the evening of Tuesday, 29 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1446 AH. In a recent statement, the Supreme Court urged anyone who sees the crescent moon, whether with the naked eye or through binoculars, to promptly report to the nearest court and submit their testimony.
The Emirates Astronomy Society says the crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah is expected to be visible on the morning of May 27. If the crescent moon is sighted, Wednesday, May 28, will mark the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah. In this case, Eid al-Adha 2025 will fall on Friday, June 6, and Arafat Day will take place a day ahead, on June 5.
The exact Eid al-Adha 2025 dates will be confirmed in each country according to its moon-sighting committee closer to the time.
Why does the GCC celebrate Eid al-Adha?
The Eid al-Adha 2025 holiday in the GCC region is a significant event in the Islamic calendar, marked by a long holiday. This period is a time for Muslims to come together, celebrate their faith and engage in various religious observances.
The timing of Eid al-Adha is determined by the lunar cycle and the sighting of the crescent moon, which signals the start of the new lunar month in the Islamic calendar. The moon-sighting committees in the region are responsible for confirming the sighting of the moon. If the moon is sighted, the following day is declared the first day of the new month, and Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Eid al-Adha is a major religious festival in the Islamic calendar. Muslims celebrate this occasion, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, by remembering how Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) demonstrated total obedience to God by preparing to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael). Islam celebrates this event to remind believers about faith and obedience through spiritual self-sacrifice.
There are two key holidays in Islam: Eid al-Fitr, which signifies the completion of the Holy Month of Ramadan; and Eid al-Adha, which follows the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Although Eid al-Adha has no direct relation to the Hajj Pilgrimage, it falls a day after the completion of Hajj and therefore has significance in time.
The day of Eid al-Adha falls on the tenth day in the final (twelfth) month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar; Dhu al-Hijjah. The day this celebrations fall on is dependent on a legitimate sighting of the moon, following the completion of the annual Holy Pilgrimage of Hajj.
Read| Eid al-Adha 2025: UAE and Saudi Arabia confirm crescent moon sighting for May 27
What is Arafat Day?
In addition to Eid al-Adha 2025, the GCC region celebrates Arafat Day. Arafat Day is the ninth day of the Islamic month Dhu al-Hijjah and the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage. It is immediately followed by Eid al-Adha celebrations. Arafat Day is expected to fall on Thursday, June 5, this year.
The day commemorates a key event in Islamic pilgrimage and marks a day of spiritual reflection, unity and supplication. Arafat is the name of a mountain located near the city of Makkah. On this day, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) delivered his farewell sermon to a gathering of over 100,000 Muslims during his final pilgrimage.
Traditionally, Muslims all around the world who are not in Makkah doing the pilgrimage will fast on the day. It is not mandatory, but it is preferred.
