Dubai, Aug 2: Residents of United Arab Emirates (UAE) are likely to get a five-day holiday for Eid-ul-Adha 2018, which is popularly referred to as Bakra Eid in India. Eid-ul-Adha is expected to fall on August 22 (Wednesday). The government has announced a three-day holiday for the festival. Therefore, Bakra Eid is most likely to be from August 22 to August 24 (Friday), followed by the weekend.

According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Deputy Director of the Sharjah Centre for Space and Astronomy, the moon for Dhul Hijjah - the final month of the Islamic calendar - would be sighted on August 12 (Sunday) and the month will begin from August 13 (Monday). Therefore, Bakra Eid will be on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah month, which is August 22.

"The moon will be one degree from the sun at its sunset. It will set 10 minutes after the sun. The moon, therefore, cannot be seen as per astronomical standards. Thus Sunday will be the 30th of Zhil Qi'da and Monday the first day of Dhul Hijjah. Thus, the first day of Eid-ul-Adha will be on the following Wednesday (August 22)," Ibrahim Al Jarwan said in a statement.

On August 11 or 29th of Dhul Qadah, Muslims will attempt to sight the crescent moon which would mark the beginning of Dhul Hijjah. If the moon is sighted, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated 10 days later, ie. on August 21. If the crescent remains unspotted, the month of Dhul Qadah will complete its 30th day on August 12. Eid al-Adha will then be celebrated 10 days later on August 22.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2018 11:50 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).