As Muslims worldwide prepare to celebrate Eid Al Adha, a significant occasion dedicated to reflection and sacrifice, Gulf nations have begun finalizing their holiday schedules. The timing of these celebrations relies on the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent, which also dictates the observance of Arafah Day. In anticipation of these spiritual milestones, both the UAE and Qatar have released their official holiday calendars to help residents plan their time off.

In the UAE, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has confirmed a five-day break for public sector employees, running from Monday, May 25, to Friday, May 29, 2026. Given the standard weekend, this schedule effectively creates a nine-day stretch of time off. Sharjah employees are set for an even longer respite, with their specific four-day workweek policy extending the holiday into a 10-day period. Meanwhile, Qatar has utilized astronomical calculations to set its dates, marking the first day of Eid Al Adha on May 27, 2026, despite noting the difficulty of physically sighting the new crescent moon.