Daijiworld Media Network
With inputs from WAM

Dubai, Aug 5 : Expatriates and locals who are employed in the UAE normally wait for three big occasions for holidays. They wait desperately for a break from the hectic and routine life here on the first Eid at the end of Ramadan, Eid-al-Adha or Bakrid approximately 70 days after Eid-ul-Fitr, and later for national day (Dec 2).

Everyone prays that the holidays fall during the weekdays, so that the regular weekend holidays are not wasted, or they could get extended weekend if these holidays fall on Wednesday or Thursday.

Now, with hardly a couple of days left for Ramadan, once again the residents here, especially those working in private sectors are keeping their fingers crossed and praying that Eid falls on Thursday, so that get an extended weekend.

Dr Hadef bin Jowan Al Dhahiri, minister of justice, has issued a decision setting up the moon-sighting committee for the month of Shawwal, Hijri 1434.

The committee, chaired by the Minister of Justice, includes Sultan Saeed Al Badi, the Under-Secretary of Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, along with a number of officials.

The decision called on all the Sharia courts in the UAE to detect the crescent moon and inform the committee.

The committee will hold the meeting after Maghreb prayer on Wednesday, the 29th of Ramadan, Hijri 1434, corresponding to August 7 at the Judiciary Department in Abu Dhabi.

So, on Wednesday evening it would be confirmed whether Eid falls on Thursday or Friday.

Some private sectors have already declared optional holidays from Thursday to Sunday, if Eid falls on Thursday, or Friday to Sunday, if Eid falls on Friday. Public sector holidays have already been declared from Wednesday to Sunday.