UAE astronomer predicts Eid Al Fitr will likely fall on June 15

We are now well into the swing of Ramadan, but when will the Eid Al Fitr holidays begin?

According to a report from Gulf Business, a local astronomer has predicted that the first day of Eid is likely to fall on Friday, June 15.

That means that Ramadan, which began on Thursday, May 17, is expected to last 29 days this year.

Of course, this is just an estimation because both the start and end date of the Holy Month depend on the sighting of the new moon. We won’t know for sure until the sighting (or not) on Thursday, June 14.

Traditionally, both public and private sector workers receive between two to three days off to celebrate Eid Al Fitr. However, as the holiday is expected to fall on a weekend this year, it is left a little up in the air. We’ll have to wait and see to find out if it will be a long weekend.

What is Eid Al Fitr?

Called ‘The Festival of the Fast Breaking’, Eid Al Fitr marks the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal, which always follows Ramadan.

Just before Eid Muslim families donate food to the poor, and on the first day of Eid they gather at mosques for the early morning prayer at around 5am. This prayer is often performed outside (as seen in the picture above).

After the prayer people usually spend time with family and friends to celebrate the end of the month of fasting, giving children gifts to celebrate the occasion.

Photos: Getty 

– For more about Dubai straight to your newsfeed, follow us on Facebook.