Following the sighting of the crescent moon, Saudi Arabia has officially declared Monday, May 18, as the first day of Dhul Hijjah. This announcement establishes the timeline for key Islamic observances, marking Arafah Day for Tuesday, May 26, and confirming that Eid Al Adha will begin on Wednesday, May 27. Several other nations, including Tunisia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Turkey, have aligned their calendars with this schedule, ensuring a unified start for the holy month and the upcoming festival across much of the globe.

In the UAE, the festive period brings significant time off for the workforce. Government employees are set to enjoy a five-day official break from Monday, May 25, to Friday, May 29. When integrated with the preceding and following weekends, this results in a nine-day stretch of leave, with operations officially resuming on June 1. Meanwhile, residents in Sharjah will benefit from an even longer break; due to the emirate's four-day workweek policy, the public holiday extends to a 10-day period for both government staff and students.