Arafat Day 2026 UAE: Confirmed Date, Holiday, Dua & Full Guide

What Is Arafat Day?

Arafat Day — also written as Arafah Day or the Day of Arafah — marks the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic Hijri calendar. It is the centrepiece of the Hajj pilgrimage — the annual sacred journey to Mecca that every Muslim who is physically and financially able is obligated to undertake at least once in their lifetime.

On this day, millions of Hajj pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat — a granite hill roughly 20 kilometres east of the Grand Mosque in Mecca — to stand in prayer from noon until sunset. This ritual is known as Wuquf. Islamic scholars widely regard it as the single most essential act of the entire Hajj.

For the 1.8 billion Muslims who are not performing Hajj, Arafat Day is observed through fasting — an act described in Hadith as expiating sins of the previous and coming year. It is one of the most rewarding single days of voluntary worship in the Islamic year.

Arafat Day 2026 UAE: The Confirmed Date

Arafat Day 2026 in the UAE falls on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. This was confirmed by the UAE Council for Fatwa on the evening of Sunday, 17 May 2026, after the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon was sighted. The Khatm Astronomical Observatory in Abu Dhabi photographed the crescent during daylight at 9:20 AM that morning — the moon was 7.8 degrees from the sun and roughly 9 hours old — and naked-eye sighting committees confirmed the observation at sunset.

The astronomers who had projected this date weeks in advance were validated by the sighting:

• Emirates Astronomical Society — the official scientific body advising the UAE on celestial observations, chaired by Ibrahim Al Jarwan
• Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub (SSAH) — based at the University of Sharjah, directed by Professor Hamid Al Naimiy, and a formal adviser to the UAE Fatwa Council

Both institutions had calculated that the crescent moon marking the start of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH would be visible on the evening of Sunday, 17 May 2026, making Monday, 18 May the first day of the month. Count nine days forward, and the Day of Arafat lands on 26 May — exactly as the Council for Fatwa ruled.

🗓️ How the Date Was Confirmed

Confirmed by UAE Council for Fatwa, 17 May 2026

Read the full breakdown: Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement: Date Announced.

Arafat Day as a UAE Public Holiday

Under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 — the federal law governing public holidays — Arafat Day is a one-day paid public holiday. It applies uniformly across all seven emirates and all sectors.

There is no distinction between public and private sector employees for this holiday. The UAE is one of a small number of countries globally that recognises Arafat Day as a formal national holiday — a reflection of the deeply Islamic character of the federation’s civic life.

For the full legal answer: Is Arafat Day 2026 a Public Holiday in the UAE?

📅 The 2026 Eid Break at a Glance

Arafat Day vs Eid Al Adha: What Is the Difference?

The two occasions are closely linked but fundamentally different. Arafat Day is an Islamic observance — a day of prayer, fasting, and spiritual reflection tied to the Hajj. Eid Al Adha is the celebration that begins the following day, commemorating the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.

Think of Arafat Day as the soul, and Eid Al Adha as the celebration that follows. One is turned inward; the other is turned outward toward community and joy. Full comparison: Arafat Day vs Eid Al Adha: The Full Explanation.

Fasting on Arafat Day: Why It Matters

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described fasting on Arafat Day as an act that expiates sins of the year before and the year to come. This places it among the most spiritually potent days for voluntary fasting in the entire Islamic calendar.

Fasting on Arafat Day is a Sunnah — a recommended act, not an obligation. Key points to know:

• Non-pilgrims: Fasting is strongly recommended — one of the highest acts of worship available on this day
• Hajj pilgrims: Fasting is not recommended — they need their energy for the rituals at Mount Arafat
• Reward: Described in Hadith as expiation for two full years of sins
• Best dua window: From Dhuhr (midday) through to Maghrib (sunset)

⏰ Arafat Day 2026 Fasting Times (Dubai & Abu Dhabi)

Verify exact timings with IACAD (iacad.gov.ae) closer to 26 May.

For city-by-city fasting times: Arafat Day Fasting Timings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi 2026.

Duas and Prayers for Arafat Day

The most important dua of Arafat Day — and, according to many Islamic scholars, of the entire year — is the Tahleel:

Find the full collection of duas with Arabic text, transliteration, and English meaning: Arafat Day Duas and Prayers in Arabic and English. For the step-by-step day structure: Arafat Day Dua Niyat: 7 Things You Must Do.

What Is Open and Closed in the UAE on Arafat Day?

Arafat Day follows the typical UAE public holiday pattern — but with some important sector differences worth knowing:

• ❌ Closed: Government offices, schools, universities, courts, most corporate businesses
• ✅ Open (reduced hours): Shopping malls, supermarkets, most restaurants, retail outlets
• ✅ Fully open: Hospitals, pharmacies, petrol stations, emergency services
• ⚠️ Varies: Banks (check with your bank), some government service centres

Full category-by-category guide: What Remains Open During Arafat Day in the UAE?

Schools and Offices During the Eid Break

The Ministry of Education has confirmed that the school midterm break for Term 3 runs from Monday, 25 May to Friday, 29 May 2026 — covering the pre-holiday Monday and the full four-day public holiday block.

• Applies to government and private schools across all emirates
• Covers teaching and administrative staff equally
• Private sector offices — the public holiday starts Tuesday 26 May; Monday 25 May is a regular working day unless employers grant it voluntarily
• Any employee required to work on a public holiday is entitled to a day off in lieu or 50% premium pay under UAE Labour Law

Full rights and obligations breakdown: UAE School and Office Closure Rules During Eid Holidays.

Arafat Day 2026: The Complete Quick-Reference

📋 Arafat Day 2026 UAE — Key Facts

📚 Complete Eid Al Adha 2026 Guides

Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha run back to back. These guides cover the full holiday period:

Frequently Asked Questions

Arafat Day 2026 is confirmed for Tuesday, 26 May 2026. The UAE Council for Fatwa announced the date on the evening of Sunday, 17 May 2026, after the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon was sighted.

Yes. Arafat Day is a one-day paid public holiday for both public and private sector employees in the UAE, under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. It applies across all seven emirates.

Four official paid days off: one for Arafat Day (26 May) and three for Eid Al Adha (27–29 May). Combined with the Saturday–Sunday weekend, the total break runs to six consecutive days — from Tuesday 26 May to Sunday 31 May.

Fasting on Arafat Day is a strongly recommended Sunnah for non-pilgrims. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described it as expiation for sins of the previous and coming year. It is not obligatory, and those performing Hajj do not fast on this day.

Arafat Day (9th Dhul Hijjah) is a day of worship, fasting, and prayer — the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage. Eid Al Adha (10th–12th Dhul Hijjah) is the celebration that follows, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son. The two are connected but distinct occasions.

Yes. The Ministry of Education has announced that the Term 3 midterm break runs from Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May 2026, covering the full Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha period. This applies to government and private schools, and to teaching and administrative staff.