Arafat Day in Dubai - Celebrations and traditions

Arafat Day in Dubai

In Dubai, a city famous for its modernity, luxury, and multiculturalism, Arafat Day has a unique, reflective dimension. It is a time when the pace of everyday life slows down noticeably. The streets become quieter, offices and schools are silent, and the faithful focus on prayer and preparations for the upcoming feast of sacrifice, Eid al-Adha.

In 2025, Arafat Day falls on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The authorities of the United Arab Emirates declare this day an official public holiday, allowing residents to have a deeper spiritual experience and spend time with their families. In many homes, recitations from the Quran can be heard, and mosques organize communal prayers.

In Dubai, Arafat Day is not only a religious ritual, but also part of the rich culture and tradition of Emirati society. On this day, Muslims pray for blessings, forgiveness of sins, and spiritual purification, seeking to renew their devotion to God and their sense of community with other believers.

How is Arafat Day celebrated in Dubai and the Emirates?

Throughout the United Arab Emirates, and especially in Dubai, Arafat Day is celebrated with great respect and tranquility. For many residents of the country, it is a time of fasting, reflection, and prayer. Muslims pray in mosques and homes, thanking God for the blessings they have received and asking for forgiveness for their sins.
For those who do not take part in the pilgrimage to Mecca, this day is a way to get closer to God spiritually. The faithful undertake a day of fasting, which is of great importance in Islam. According to the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, fasting on Arafat Day brings forgiveness for sins from the previous and coming year.

In Dubai, many people spend this day with their families. Often, gatherings are organized, loved ones are visited, conversations about faith are held, and reflections on everyday life are shared. Schools and the media remind people of the significance of this day, encouraging love, humility, and gratitude.
Since Arafat Day precedes Eid al-Adha, many residents use this time to prepare for the Feast of Sacrifice—shopping, cleaning their homes, and planning trips to their hometowns or pilgrimage sites.

Why is Arafat Day so important to Muslims?

The significance of Arafat Day is deeply rooted in the history of Islam and in the tradition of the pilgrimage to Mecca - the Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam. It is on this day that pilgrims pray at the foot of Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia, in a vast open space where, according to tradition, the Prophet Muhammad delivered his last sermon.

It is a moment full of spirituality, love, and devotion to God. The faithful stand under the scorching sun, praying for forgiveness of sins, peace, and blessings for the entire Muslim community. This experience is considered one of the most moving during the Hajj. It is on this day that pilgrims experience the culmination of their pilgrimage, coming face to face with their Creator.

For those who do not participate in the pilgrimage, the Day of Arafat in Islam is a symbol of spiritual connection with the pilgrims. Through prayer and fasting, they connect spiritually with those who are on Mount Arafat, asking for forgiveness, remission of sins, and blessings.

Traditions and customs associated with the Day of Arafat

The traditions of Arafat Day are deeply rooted in the faith and spiritual practice of Muslims. The most important element is the day of fasting, which symbolizes devotion to God and the desire to purify the soul. The faithful in Dubai and other emirates refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, devoting this time to prayer and reflection.
In the evening, after sunset, families gather for a shared meal - modest, full of gratitude and joy, reminiscent of the moment of breaking the fast after Ramadan. In many homes, the prophet Ibrahim and his devotion to God, which became the foundation of the Feast of Sacrifice, are remembered.

Some believers in Dubai go to mosques on this day for special prayers, while others spend time in silence, in personal conversation with God. For many, it is a moment of deep spiritual experience that symbolizes devotion and reminds them of the meaning of life, love, gratitude, and keeping faith in all circumstances.

In Saudi Arabia, where the pilgrimage to Mecca takes place, Hajj participants spend the entire day on Mount Arafat, in prayer and contemplation. It is one of the most moving religious events in Islam, uniting millions of people in a single moment of worship and forgiveness.

Public holidays in the United Arab Emirates

Arafat Day is part of the rich calendar of public holidays in the United Arab Emirates. Alongside it are other important religious and national events that shape the identity of the country and its people. These include:

• Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): commemorating the prophet Ibrahim's willingness to make a sacrifice.
• The festival marking the end of Ramadan, known as Eid al-Fitr: a time of joy and celebration.
• Mawlid al-Nabi: the birthday of the prophet Muhammad, an opportunity to reflect on his life and teachings.
• Islamic New Year, which symbolizes the beginning of a new spiritual cycle.
• UAE National Day (National Day): celebrated on December 2, commemorates the unification of the Emirati states in 1971.

Each of these holidays has its own significance and rituals, but Arafat Day occupies a special place among them. Many Dubai residents treat this period as a time of gratitude, sharing, and community building. Although it differs from the music and light-filled national celebrations, its message of love, humility, and forgiveness has a universal dimension.
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Questions and answers

1. When is Arafat Day celebrated?

Arafat Day is celebrated on the ninth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Muslim calendar, the day before the start of the Feast of Sacrifice - Eid al-Adha.

2. Is Arafat Day a public holiday in the UAE?

Yes, Arafat Day is an official public holiday in the United Arab Emirates. It usually precedes Eid al-Adha, so residents have several days off, which they spend in prayer, reflection, and time with their families.

3. Is fasting observed on Arafat Day?

Yes, on Arafat Day, many Muslims undertake voluntary fasting, which has great spiritual significance. According to the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, fasting on Arafat Day brings forgiveness for sins from the previous and coming year.

4. What is the difference between Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha?

Arafat Day is a time of deep prayer, fasting, and spiritual reflection, celebrated the day before Eid al-Adha, when pilgrims on the Hajj gather at Mount Arafat. Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is a joyful time commemorating the prophet Ibrahim and his willingness to sacrifice his son as a sign of devotion to God. While Arafat Day is a time for reflection and forgiveness, Eid al-Adha focuses on joy, community, and sharing the sacrifice with others.