The UAE has announced a four-day public holiday from June 5 to June 8, 2025, to mark the important Islamic occasions of Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha. These dates will see both government and private sector employees enjoying time off, with work resuming on Monday, June 9.
As one of the most significant festivals in the Islamic calendar, Eid Al Adha commemorates the spirit of sacrifice and coincides with the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Arafat Day, which precedes Eid, holds deep spiritual significance as a day of fasting and reflection.
This announcement also raises common questions regarding how public holidays are handled under UAE labour law—particularly when they fall on weekends or overlap with an employee’s scheduled weekly day off.
With legal provisions specifying compensation rules and leave entitlements, this guide outlines everything you need to know about the Eid holidays, how they’re observed in the UAE and beyond, and what the law says about public holiday entitlements.
