Employees and students in Saudi Arabia enjoyed an extended holiday at the end of March in celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
The official Eid holiday for workers commenced on Sunday, March 30, marking the conclusion of the month of Ramadan, which had begun on March 1.
The long Eid al-Fitr break was scheduled to last for four days, running through to Wednesday, April 2. Workers were set to return to their duties on Thursday, April 3. Employees had already had Friday, March 28, and Saturday, March 29, off as part of the regular weekend.
For students, the break began earlier, starting on March 20. According to the academic calendar released by the Ministry of Education, studies were set to resume on April 6. The actual date for the first day of Eid al-Fitr was to be confirmed upon the sighting of the crescent moon.
Eid al-Fitr, a significant occasion for Muslims, marked the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, when both public and private sector employees in Muslim-majority countries enjoy several days off to celebrate. The Kingdom's employees and students benefited from this extended holiday as part of the nationwide celebration.
In addition to the Eid al-Fitr holiday, Saudi Arabia was also preparing for other key holidays. Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, was scheduled for early June, with a four-day holiday for workers. Eid al-Adha begins on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, following the Day of Arafat, when Muslim pilgrims gather on the plains of Arafat near Mecca.
Saudi Arabia’s National Day, celebrated annually on September 23, was also expected to be observed as a national holiday later in the year.
