Saudi Arabia announces public holiday for Eid Al Adha 2023
Long weekend incoming…
Just in: Saudi Arabia has announced that Tuesday, June 27 to Friday, June 30 will be a paid holiday for the private and public sector for Eid Al Adha 2023, according to Gulf News.
Work will resume as normal on Sunday July 2, meaning those that usually have Fridays and Saturdays off will have a five-day weekend.
The crescent of Dhu al-Hijjah was sighted by the Saudi Moon Sighting Committeeon Sunday, confirming that Wednesday, June 28 is the first day of Eid Al Adha 2023.
Arafat Day, which is one day before Eid, marks the start of the public holiday from Tuesday, June 27.
What is Eid Al Adha?
According to tradition, Eid Al Adha is held to honour Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, after being instructed to do so by God. Prophet Ibrahim told his son of the dream, and the son then told his father to follow the order. But God intervened, sending a sheep to take his son’s place.
When is the next public holiday after Eid al Adha?
After Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha, the next public holiday will fall on the occasion of Saudi National Day, which is marked annually on September 23. The holiday commemorates the establishment of Saudi Arabia by King Abdulaziz in 1932. It falls on a Wednesday this year, so no long weekend there. But you can look forward to fireworks, parades packed with floats showcasing the highlights of each region, music and traditional outfits, and Saudi flags lining the streets.