prwatts

Can anyone tell me when there are holidays in KSA?
I understand there is a week or so that is a holiday in Ramadan?
Are there any other 'statutory' holidays?

Thanks

Spugsy

Jesus, I actually thougt this thread might be about someone wanting to go on holiday to the lovely KSA.

Foolish Spugs.

Bob

I thought the same

prwatts

Sorry chaps - maybe I shouldiv sed "statutory Holidays" but then I am not sure what happens during the month of Ramadan.

Bob

Everyone gets phished up

Jim Smith

There are two primary holidays. At the end of Ramadan there is and EID Holiday can never remember if Eid Al Adha or Eid Al Fitre which I think is 4 days plus whatever you can add on for weekends etc. 70 days after the beginning of this Eid there is another, one of these two names of course. This is generally 3 days plus whatever you can add on. Then a few single days like th Prophets birthday, and some others.

Sorry I cannot be more specific, never had an Eid holiday(outside country of residence) in 32 years in M.E.!

coffindodger

Ramadan starts about ish Wed 11th August this year.
Eid Will start ish Friday 10th Sept.
Hajj will be ish 16-20th November.
These are ish type dates since they have to find 3 wise men here in Saudi and be part of the moon sighting committee.

Bonny Boy

Saudi just has the two main holidays - Eid Al Fitr at the end of Ramadan and Eid Al Adha during the Haj. These can last 1 to 2 weeks, although some of us expats have to work straight through.

They don't do the Prophet's birthday - celebration of the individual being frowned upon as somewhat ostentatious.

As to visiting Saudi - if you can, why not? There are some really interesting places, and free of camera touting, loudly dressed 'tourists'. Madain Saleh is the Petra of Saudi. The Asir mountains have their unique culture and stretch from Jeddah southwards to the Yemen border. Red Sea diving, free of the over commercialisation and touting that is Egypt.

If you are an independent minded traveller who can handle the road, Saudi has huge potential. Getting a visa to enter is the main challenge.

ctfc

KSA only has the two Eids - Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha.

It's mentioned in the Quran (or a hadith maybe - can't remember) that a muslim should ONLY celebrate the two Eids. The Saudis are dismissive of the UAE for celebrating the Prophet's Birthday, Ascension, National etc and particularly of New Year's Day (1st January) since that's a 'Christian holiday'.

prwatts

Thanks everyone, I will be starting work in KSA and wanted to plan some trips home as I am only on single status. I am unsure how busy Gvy departments will be over Ramadan - some say no work is done, others say business as usual. I will be working for the Saudi Railway Company.

And I agree with the above - every country has its sights to see and I hope to get out a bit. On a bike.

Peter

Bonny Boy

Theory is business as usual during Ramadan, reality can be somewhat different.

However, for an expat it can work both ways - short easy days in some roles, or having to work extra hard covering for absent colleagues in others.

Until you arrive here it will be hard to tell.

BTW - Ramadan is not of itself a holiday, the Eid is at the end of Ramadan.

Meow

Unless you are female....

-

Bonny Boy

Just put a black sheet on and you'll be fine......

Dilmun

said the man.........

Millhouse

Your contacts are correct, the work load done in government departments is broadly the same all throughout the year - i.e. nothing.