Tourists and business people visiting the United Arab Emirates should know the holidays in the country in order to take into account the traditions of local residents and learn the peculiarities of the culture.
There are many religious and secular holidays that take into account not only the usual Gregorian calendar, but also the lunar calendar, which is the basis for Islamic traditions. To understand all the features, it is suggested to find out more information on the https://world-arabia.com/articles/navigating-the-uae-holiday-landscape-a-comprehensive-guide/.
Time zones in the country and major holidays
Time in the UAE is counted from Greenwich, it is four hours ahead of it. This option is called the standard time of the Persian Gulf. However, in the emirates of Sharjah and Dubai, an hour closer to Greenwich, designated as UTC + 3. This is worth remembering when planning a visit to festive events.
When determining the dates of holidays, the lunar calendar is often used, so the dates will not coincide by year, this must also be taken into account when determining the duration of the trip.
The main holidays of the UAE include:
- Eid al-Fitr is the culmination of the holy month of Ramadan. It is dedicated to fasting, prayer and reflection on spirituality. Its final three days are collective prayers of gratitude to ask for blessings for the future and to unite the ties within the community. The holiday then continues with meetings with family members and friends, a feast. Charity events and vibrant artistic performances are organized. In 2025, it will be celebrated in late March.
- Eid al-Adha is a festival of sacrifice. It is celebrated from June 6 to 8 in 2025. This holiday has a deep symbolic meaning, shows the strength of veneration of the Prophet. Eid al-Adha refers to family holidays, when all members gather at a common table. Sacrifices symbolize a sense of faith, its strength, unite about the importance of family, strong family feelings.
Planning activities during holidays
There is a holiday date calculator that indicates which days of a particular year an event is celebrated. You can choose the desired option if you want to better understand the customs of the country’s inhabitants, understand their culture, share the holiday. At this time, it is not worth planning business meetings or concluding a deal, because for Muslims such events are sacred, they are reverent about observing all customs. Guests of the country should learn about the peculiarities of behavior in order to respect traditions, better understand the motives of actions and the peculiarities of life.