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.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has confirmed that distance learning will continue for all private educational institutions in Dubai until Friday, March 6, as a precautionary measure amid ongoing regional developments.

In a statement shared on X, the regulator said the safety and well-being of students, parents, teachers and school staff remain its top priority.

KHDA also urged the education community to rely only on official government sources for updates and avoid sharing unverified information.

Nationwide remote learning extended

The decision follows a nationwide announcement by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, confirming that remote learning will continue across the UAE until the same date.

The extension applies to:

• Public and private schools
• Universities and higher education institutions
• All students
• Academic and administrative staff

In a joint statement, the two ministries said teaching and learning will proceed remotely under established assessment frameworks.

Authorities added that the situation will continue to be closely monitored, with further measures introduced if necessary to ensure the safety of students and the wider education community.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has urged residents across the UAE to strictly follow safety instructions when warning sirens are activated.

The authority stressed that these alerts are issued only to protect lives.

Officials noted that some people have been leaving their homes or stopping their vehicles to film or take photos after hearing warning messages. NCEMA warned that this behaviour is dangerous and could put lives at risk.

“The warning is issued for your safety,” the authority said, urging everyone to move immediately to a safe location and stay there until an official all-clear announcement confirms the situation is safe.

What you should do

• If you are at home: Stay indoors and move to a safe area immediately.
• If you are driving: Continue to your destination, and once you arrive, go directly to the nearest safe shelter.
• Do not stop to film, take photos, or gather in open areas.

NCEMA also warned that failing to follow official instructions could result in legal action.

Residents are encouraged to cooperate fully with safety directives to protect themselves and the wider community.