Eid al-Adha · Day 1

Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, recalls Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice in obedience to God and coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage period. In Oman it is a major religious and family holiday, shaped by the Eid prayer, visiting and the conviction that celebration should include generosity toward relatives, neighbours and people in need.

The statutory holiday begins on 9 Dhu al-Hijjah, the Day of Arafah, and continues through the twelfth day of the month. That four-day structure makes room for religious preparation, the Eid morning itself and a fuller round of family visits. Households that undertake a sacrifice do so in accordance with religious guidance and local rules, with sharing and care at the centre; other families experience the festival through worship, meals and hospitality.

No single Omani household celebrates in exactly the same way. Travel can be busy, service timetables can change and special arrangements are often announced before the break. Its Gregorian date moves with the Hijri lunar calendar. The date shown here is a planning calculation only: Oman’s annual official notice—and, for the two Eids, the moon-sighting announcement—takes priority for leave, travel and closures.

In 2026, the first day of Eid al-Adha was Wednesday, May 27. Oman’s announced paid leave covered Tuesday, May 26 through Friday, May 29, spanning Arafah and the first three Eid dates. Public and private employees were included, while pharmacies and other necessary services used special duty rosters and compensation arrangements. Friday compensation under Royal Decree No. 88/2022 applies when Friday is the first Eid day, which was not the case in 2026.