Bakrid to fall on July 31, UAE yet to announce holidays

Our Correspondent

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court said on July 20 that the Day of Arafat will fall on July 30 and that the Eid Al Adha (Bakrid) holiday will be on July 31.

The State-owned Saudi Press Agency reported that employees working in the country’s public sector will get two weeks off (July 24- August 9) while those in the private sector will get four days off, from July 30 to August 2.

Al Adha means the sacrifice. The festival commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, upon God’s command as a test of his faith. The devil tried to dissuade him, telling him not to kill his son, but Ibrahim responded by throwing rocks at him. This act is now repeated by pilgrims at Hajj who throw stones at symbolic pillars. Just as Ibrahim prepared to make the sacrifice, God told him to sacrifice a goat instead. Muslims celebrate Eid by eating the halal meat of a sacrificed animal.

UAE is yet to announce the holiday. The final decision rests with the UAE government based on consultation with local Islamic authorities, who monitor the moon cycle to determine the beginning and end of months in the Hijri calendar. In the UAE, Eid Al Adha is celebrated with three to four days of public holiday for government and private sector workers.

It is unclear if Eid prayers will be permitted or Muslims will instead be encouraged to be carry them out at home, as they did for Eid Al Fitr. Social and family gatherings on the holiday are likely to be restricted.

Though mosques have reopened for the five daily prayers in the UAE Friday prayers, which typically draw a larger crowd, are not yet allowed.