Eid Al Adha: Six-day holiday in Bahrain

Manama: Residents in Bahrain will enjoy a six-day holiday for Eid Al Adha, it was announced on Thursday.

According to a circular issued by Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, the Kingdom's ministries and public institutions will be closed on the day of Arafah, and on Eid Al Adha, corresponding to Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (June 5 to 8).

Since the official holidays will fall on a Friday and Saturday, they will be compensated on Monday and Tuesday (June 9-10), the circular added.

Public and private sector employees in the UAE will get a four-day holiday for Eid Al Adha – June 5 to 8. Saudi Arabia, too, has announced a four-day break for the festival.

Oman, meanwhile, will observe a five-day holiday – from Thursday until Monday. Normal working hours will resume on Tuesday, June 10.

Muslims perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage during the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijjah which culminates in celebrating Eid Al Adha on the 10th day of Hajj rituals.

Eid Al Adha or the 'Feast of Sacrifice, is celebrated throughout the Muslim world as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice everything for God.

The festival falls on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar.

Eid Al Adha is a time of celebration where Muslims gather for prayers at the mosque, visit family and friends, exchange gifts, and enjoy feasts. It's a time of charitable acts, remembrance, and community. However, the exact practices can vary from country to country.

The Day of Arafat is an important Islamic observance that takes place on the ninth of Dhu Al Hijjah, the day before Eid Al Adha. It marks the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, where Muslim pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat and the Plain of Arafat. It is from this site that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered one of his final sermons during the last year of his life.

For Muslims who are not participating in Hajj, Arafat Day is a significant day of fasting and spiritual reflection. Although fasting on this day is not obligatory, it is highly recommended for those not performing the pilgrimage.