What is Arafat Day and will it be a public holiday?

Here’s everything you need to know about Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha.

After a spiritually fulfilling Ramadan and the festive vibes of Eid al-Fitr, it’s back to business. The long weekend gave us a much-needed break, but let’s be honest, the minute one holiday ends, we’re already checking our calendar for the next one. And we won’t have to wait too long because Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha are not too far away.

Arafat Day, also known as the Day of Arafah, is one of the most sacred days in the Islamic calendar. It falls on the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. This day is significant for Muslims worldwide, especially those performing Hajj.

On this day, pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Ar-Rahmah or the Mountain of Mercy. From noon until sunset, they pray, repent and seek forgiveness from Allah. It’s considered the most essential day of Hajj.

For Muslims not on Hajj, fasting on Arafat Day is encouraged as it’s a Sunnah (a recommended practice). According to Islamic tradition, fasting on this day removes one’s sins of the past year and the year to come. To make it easy for Muslims to dedicate this special day towards spiritual connection, the UAE and Saudi Arabia declare Arafat Day as a public holiday.

Right after Arafat Day comes Eid al-Adha. It commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, as an act of obedience to God. Allah intervened and provided a sheep to be sacrificed instead, which is why now Muslims across the world sacrifice a goat, sheep, cow or camel during this Eid. The meat from the sacrificed animal is then shared among family, friends, and those in need.

Based on the Islamic calendar and moon sightings, Arafat Day is expected to fall on Thursday, 5 June, followed by Eid al-Adha on Friday, 6 June. If that happens, UAE and Saudi residents are likely looking at a long weekend with Thursday to Sunday off. That’s four days to relax, spend time with loved ones, or maybe even plan a quick getaway.

However, these dates depend on the official moon sighting, so we’ll have to wait for the final confirmation closer to the date.

GO: Visit www.uaebarq.ae for more information.