Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, has directed that salaries for Dubai Government employees be paid early, 17 March 17, ahead of Eid Al Fitr.
The move aims to help employees meet their families’ needs and share in the joy of the upcoming holiday.
Eid Al Fitr holiday dates
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed that federal ministries, institutions and public sector entities will observe the Eid holiday from March 19 to 22, with official work resuming on March 23.
For private sector employees, the holiday will run from March 19 to 21. Authorities added that if Ramadan lasts 30 days, the private sector break will be extended to include March 22.
According to the UAE’s official public holiday calendar, Eid Al Fitr is observed from Shawwal 1 to 3 and is classified as a non-transferable public holiday.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) has indicated that Eid Al Fitr in 2026 is expected to fall on March 20 and continue until March 22, subject to the official moon sighting.
Moon-sighting committees will convene on the 29th day of Ramadan to determine the start of Shawwal. If the crescent is sighted on March 18, Eid would begin on March 19, potentially resulting in a four-day break from March 19 to 22, aligning Sunday with the usual weekend.