Islamic holidays are subject to moon sightings
Residents of the six GCC nations (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait) will enjoy several public holidays, including Islamic holidays in 2024 – the New Year.
The public holidays will stretch further when combined with the standard weekends in the six GCC countries.
Islamic holidays in the GCC region are traditionally linked to the Islamic lunar calendar and involve moon sightings by officially appointed religious bodies. Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr, and Eid Al Adha holidays historically come under this purview.
Depending on the GCC country involved, some public holiday dates in 2024 are for the public and private sectors, while some are for the public sector.
Knowing public holidays in advance can aid Arab Gulf residents in booking flights and making other travel arrangements well in advance, as airlines and other travel and tourism operators across the globe tend to raise their prices by a good measure closer to travel dates.
It is advisable to check with each country’s official government channels closer to the date, as the dates listed below are approximate and subject to change by governments:
UAE
Jan 1 New Year
March 11 Ramadan expected to begin
Apr 10-12 Eid Al Fitr
June 15 Arafat Day
June 16-18 Eid Al Adha
Jul 7 Islamic New Year
Sep 15 Prophet’s Birthday (PBUH)
Dec 1 Commemoration Day
Dec 2 UAE National Day
SAUDIA ARABIA
Feb 22 Saudi Founding Day
March 11 Ramadan expected to begin
Apr 9-14 Eid Al Fitr
June 14 Arafat Day
June 17-19 Eid Al Adha
Jul 7 Islamic New Year
Sep 15 Prophet’s Birthday (PBUH)
Sep 23 Saudi National Day
QATAR
Feb 13 National Sports Day
March 11 Ramadan expected to begin
Apr 10-12 Eid Al Fitr
June 15 Arafat Day
June 16-18 Eid Al Adha
Jul 7 Islamic New Year
Dec 18 Qatar National Day
BAHRAIN
Jan 1 New Year
March 11 Ramadan expected to begin
Apr 10-12 Eid Al Fitr
June 15 Arafat Day
June 16-18 Eid Al Adha
Jul 7 Islamic New Year
Dec 16 Bahrain National Day
OMAN
March 11 Ramadan expected to begin
Apr 10-12 Eid Al Fitr
June 15 Arafat Day
June 16-18 Eid Al Adha
Jul 7 Islamic New Year
Jul 23 Renaissance Day
Sep 15 Prophet’s Birthday (PBUH)
Nov 18 Oman National Day
KUWAIT
Jan 1 New Year
Feb 8 Prophet’s Ascension (PBUH)
March 11 Ramadan expected to begin
Apr 10-12 Eid Al Fitr
June 15 Arafat Day
June 16-18 Eid Al Adha
Jul 7 Islamic New Year
Sep 15 Prophet’s Birthday
Nov 25 Kuwait National Day
Nov 26 Kuwait Liberation Day
Featured image: Islamic holidays in the GCC region typically involve sighting of the moon by authorised religious bodies. Image: Malith D. Karunarathne
