Post-vacation blues settling in? Don’t just sit at your desk dreaming of your next vacation – get to planning it instead. According to the International Astronomical Centre (IAC) in Abu Dhabi, Eid Al-Adha 2019 will likely fall on Sunday, August 11.
The announcement of this holiday depends on the sighting of the moon. The Islamic calendar is determined by the passage of the moon, meaning that there are usually around 354 to 355 days to every calendar year. The beginning and end of the month are determined by a sighting of the new moon.
Mohammed Shawkat, the Director of the IAC, said there will be no dispute over the sighting of the Helal or new moon of the lunar month of Zul Hijjah. “Most Arab and Islamic centers will be able to easily and clearly see the new moon of Zul Hijjah by naked eyes and telescopes,” he said.
This Eid marks the end of the annual Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj to Mecca. The announcement of Eid Al-Adha will be made by Saudi Arabia and will be approved by most countries. In March 2019, the government sent out a tweet from their official Twitter account saying that it will be granting equal days off to the public and private sector. The decision was made in an effort to achieve a balance between the two sectors and support the national economy.
As August 11 is a Sunday, both public and private sector workers will likely have a long weekend from Friday, August 9, 2019, to Wednesday, August 14, 2019.
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