Eid Al Adha, one of the most significant festivals in the Islamic calendar, is expected to fall on Friday, June 6, 2025, according to astronomical forecasts released by the Emirates Astronomy Society this week.
The crescent moon marking the beginning of the month of Dhu Al Hijjah, the final month in the Islamic lunar calendar, is expected to be visible on May 27, making May 28 the first day of the month, reports Gulf News.
The announcement was made by Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, who noted that the crescent will appear at 07:02 am UAE time on May 27 and will remain visible for approximately 38 minutes after sunset, allowing for its likely sighting that evening.
Should the astronomical forecast hold, the Day of Arafah, a day of fasting and reflection observed on the 9th of Dhu Al Hijjah, will fall on Thursday, June 5, followed by Eid Al Adha on Friday, June 6.
In line with the UAE's official public holiday calendar, the break for Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha spans from the 9th to the 12th of Dhu Al Hijjah (Islamic year 1445 AH), equivalent to four days of public holiday.
If Eid Al Adha indeed falls on a Friday, UAE residents are expected to enjoy an extended break, with Thursday and Friday declared as official holidays and Saturday and Sunday as part of the regular weekend, resulting in a four-day weekend across the country.
However, as with all Islamic holidays, the exact date of Eid Al Adha is subject to the official moon sighting, which may shift the date by a day.
If the crescent is not visible on May 27, the start of Dhu Al Hijjah would be delayed to May 29, making Eid Al Adha fall on Saturday, June 7 instead of Friday.
In that case, the public holiday would still span four days—from Saturday through Tuesday—but would not align as neatly with the weekend. The final holiday schedule will depend on the official announcement by UAE authorities closer to the date.
Eid Al Adha, also known as the “Feast of Sacrifice,” commemorates the Qur’anic story of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, a test of faith that was divinely interrupted and replaced with a ram.
The occasion is celebrated with prayers, family gatherings, and charitable acts, including the ritual sacrifice of livestock, with the meat distributed to relatives, friends, and the underprivileged.
The festival also coincides with the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage, an annual journey to Mecca undertaken by millions of Muslims around the world. Eid Al Adha is the second of two major Islamic holidays, the first being Eid Al Fitr, which follows the month of Ramadan.
