Eid Al Adha 2025: Dates and Holiday Announcements Across the Middle East

Eid Al Adha 2025 will be observed on June 6 in most Gulf countries and June 7 in parts of Asia, impacting business schedules globally. Employees in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are entitled to fully paid leave, with additional compensation if required to work during the holiday.

Eid al-Adha, one of the most significant festivals in Islam, is set to be observed on Friday, June 6, 2025, in many Middle Eastern countries, following the sighting of the Dhu al-Hijjah crescent moon on Tuesday, May 27. This sighting marks the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and sets the stage for the annual Hajj pilgrimage and the subsequent festival.

In Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court confirmed the moon sighting, establishing June 6 as the date for Eid al-Adha, with the Day of Arafah observed on Thursday, June 5. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman have aligned their observances accordingly, with public holidays announced to accommodate the celebrations.

The festival is marked by special prayers and rituals. As preparations commence, authorities across the Middle East are implementing measures to ensure public safety, manage transportation, and uphold health and environmental standards during the festivities.

Eid Al Adha 2025 official declarations across the Middle East and beyond

As of May 27, 2025, numerous countries have officially confirmed the dates for Eid al-Adha 2025, following local moon sightings. While most Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman, will observe the holiday on Friday, June 6, others such as India, Pakistan, and Malaysia will celebrate on Saturday, June 7.

This variation, rooted in differences in lunar observation practices, has practical implications for multinational organizations, particularly in managing leave schedules, cross-border operations, and internal HR planning.

Countries observing Eid Al Adha on June 6, 2025

• Saudi Arabia: The Kingdom, home to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, follows traditional moon sighting to align with the Hajj pilgrimage calendar. Eid al-Adha will be observed on Friday, June 6, with Arafat Day falling on Thursday, June 5.
• United Arab Emirates: Following the crescent moon sighting on May 27, Dhu Al Hijjah began on May 28. The UAE declared a long weekend for the public sector from June 5 to June 8, with work resuming on Monday, June 9.
• Qatar: Similarly, the Qatari authorities marked May 28 as the start of Dhu Al Hijjah, confirming Eid on June 6.
• Oman: Eid will be observed on June 6, with public holidays extending from Thursday, June 5 to Monday, June 9—a five-day break that organizations must accommodate in their workforce planning.
• Indonesia and Australia: Both countries confirmed crescent sightings aligning with June 6 Eid celebrations, showing the global convergence with Saudi Arabia’s calendar.

Countries observing Eid Al Adha on June 7, 2025

• Pakistan: The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee reported no moon sighting on May 27, pushing the start of Dhu Al Hijjah to May 29. Consequently, Eid will be observed on June 7.
• India: Regional moon sighting reports confirm that the majority of Indian states will celebrate Eid on June 7, necessitating calendar adjustments across organizations with Indian teams or clients.
• Malaysia and Brunei: With no visible crescent moon on May 27, these nations begin Dhu Al Hijjah on May 29 and will celebrate Eid on Saturday, June 7.
• Bangladesh: While the final declaration was pending at the time of writing, authorities hinted at a June 7 observance, with a generous 10-day government holiday declared from June 5 to June 14—significantly affecting government-linked operations and service delivery.
• Morocco and Mauritania: Both nations, adhering strictly to local crescent sightings, also set Eid on June 7.

Why these variations matter for employers and global teams

While Eid al-Adha is a shared celebration across the Muslim world, the staggered dates of observance can affect business continuity, HR policies, and scheduling across multinational teams. Here’s why organizations should take note:

• Leave  coordination: HR departments must recognize and respect these national variations to manage employee leave without disrupting operations, particularly in multicultural or regionally distributed teams.
• Cross-border communication: Misalignment of public holidays across key markets—such as the Gulf states versus South and Southeast Asia—can lead to delays in communication, approvals, or project milestones. Advance awareness allows for contingency planning.
• Client and partner  engagements: External engagements with government offices or business partners in countries with week-long Eid holidays (for instance, Bangladesh or Oman) should be rescheduled or fast-tracked to avoid operational standstills.
• Cultural  sensitivity: Demonstrating respect for employees’ religious practices enhances morale and inclusivity. HR teams should proactively share Eid greetings, facilitate flexibility in work schedules, and allow time off as appropriate.

Employee rights During Eid Al Adha 2025: UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia

UAE: Entitlements and compensation

In the UAE, Eid Al Adha is not only a significant religious celebration but also a key period of paid public holiday entitlements for employees. As the 2025 Eid holidays span from Thursday, June 5 to Sunday, June 8, workers across both public and private sectors benefit from a four-day break. Understanding how these days are treated under UAE Labour Law is essential for both employers and employees to avoid disputes and ensure compliance.

Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, specifically Article 29, employees are entitled to full pay on officially declared public holidays, including Eid Al Adha. If an employee is required to work during this period, the law mandates either:

• A compensatory day off at a later date; or
• Their regular wage plus an additional 50 percent of their basic salary.

Employees may also choose to extend their Eid holiday by using part of their annual leave. As outlined in Article 28, such leave is subject to employer approval, which must balance operational needs with employee well-being. Notably, if an employer refuses leave, they are obligated to notify the employee at least one month in advance.

A recent update (Resolution No. 27 of 2024) clarified how holidays are handled when they overlap with weekends. Generally, if a public holiday falls on a weekend, no extra compensatory day is provided. However, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are exempt from this rule, reflecting their religious and cultural importance.

For 2025, this regulation is less contentious, as Eid Al Adha conveniently falls across a Thursday to Sunday span, delivering a natural four-day weekend for most workers without the need for additional leave days or compensatory adjustments.

Qatar: Entitlements and compensation

Employees in Qatar are entitled to three working days of fully paid leave for Eid Al Adha, as stipulated in Article 78 of the Qatar Labour Law.

If an employee is required to work during the Eid Al Adha holidays, the employer must provide either:

• A compensatory day off; or
• Overtime pay as per the employment contract or company policy.

Public holidays in Qatar, including Eid Al Adha, are not deducted from an employee’s annual leave balance. If a public holiday coincides with the weekend, the employer is not obligated to provide an additional day off unless specified in the employment contract.

Saudi Arabia: Entitlements and compensation

Employees in Saudi Arabia are entitled to four days of fully paid leave for Eid Al Adha, commencing from the Day of Arafat.

Employees required to work during the Eid Al Adha holidays are entitled to:

• Their regular wage; plus
• An additional 50 percent of their basic salary as overtime compensation.

Public holidays are not counted against an employee’s annual leave entitlement. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, the employer is not required to provide an alternative day off unless specified in the employment contract.

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