Closing more days for Eid irresponsible, president says
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President Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the government will not grant any additional holidays for Eid beyond those already designated on the official calendar, citing the decision as a matter of responsibility.
Typically, the Eid al-Adha holiday includes up to five days, especially when combined with the Hajj observance. However, this year’s Eid falls on a weekend, and the government has decided to limit the public holiday period to the two official days that coincide with the weekend.
Speaking during his Rayyithunna Eku podcast, President Muizzu said the government would not close for additional days surrounding Eid, particularly as it would disrupt the working week.
"I know a lot of people are hoping for that. But I don't think it's a good thing to close for three days. Then it goes in the middle of the week," the President said.
He added that the government generally closes for one or two days during public holidays but extending the closure to three days is not a practice he views as acceptable.
"Usually two days or one day is closed. Two days sometimes closed. But three days—I believe that is not responsible," he said.
This year, the Hajj pilgrimage falls on Thursday, the 5th of next month, and Eid al-Adha will be observed on Friday, the 6th. As Friday is part of the weekend, the official holiday period for Eid will be Sunday and Monday. Government offices are scheduled to reopen on Tuesday.
