When is the next public holiday in Saudi Arabia?
It’ll be here before you know it…
There is nothing quite like public holidays in Saudi Arabia, and although the next one will be along quite quickly, so it’s not much of a wait. If you’re anything like us, you’re possibly wondering when the first one is going to roll around, this is the place to be.
Public holidays in Saudi Arabia are times to celebrate with tonnes of going out, festive vibes, and usually fireworks, so it’s safe to say they are occasions to remember. So, if you’re after when the next public holiday in Saudi Arabia is, you’ve come to the right place.
The next public holiday is set to be early next year for *drum roll please* Eid Al-Adha. This year, it’s expected to fall on either Thursday June 5 or Friday June 6 on the Gregorian calendar until Monday June 9.
As in the past, we will have to wait for the official announcement from the Saudi Arabian authorities. The holiday announcement usually comes a week or so before the day, and we will surely announce it as soon as we get confirmation.
What is Eid Al-Adha?
Eid Al-Adha lasts three days and commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son. 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. It is usually observed from Dhul-Hijjah 10 to 12 of the Islamic Hijri calendar.
The occasion of Eid Al Adha is usually marked with a few days off for both the public and private sectors, however, as with any Islamic holidays, decisions are based on the phases of the moon, so we won’t know the exact dates until the moon has been officially sighted.
The holiday is distinguished by a particular prayer that consists of two rakats (parts) which will only be performed in congregation and features an additional seven takbirs (raising of the hands to the ears while saying “Allāhu Akbar).
Stay tuned to whatsonsaudiarabia.com for the official announcements.