Abu Dhabi, UAE – The joyous anticipation of Eid Al Adha, one of the most significant Islamic festivals, is tinged with an undercurrent of academic stress for many families across the United Arab Emirates this year. With final school examinations scheduled to commence immediately after the Eid holidays, numerous households are opting for more subdued celebrations, prioritizing study sessions over traditional festivities.
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| ExamsAcademic Pressure Casts a Shadow: UAE Families Scale Back Eid Al Adha Celebrations Amidst Final Exams |
Eid Al Adha, the "Festival of Sacrifice," is traditionally a time for prayer, family gatherings, elaborate meals, and charitable acts. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. In the UAE, this typically translates into a vibrant public holiday period filled with communal prayers, the ritual sacrifice of animals (Qurbani), sharing meat with the less fortunate, visiting relatives, and enjoying various entertainment and cultural events.
This year, the Eid Al Adha holiday in the UAE is expected to begin on Thursday, June 5th (Arafah Day), and conclude on Sunday, June 8th. However, for students in many schools, particularly those following the Ministry of Education curriculum, the relief of the holiday will be short-lived. Final exams for students in Grades 3 to 12 in public schools are slated to begin as early as Tuesday, June 10th, running through June 19th. This tight turnaround is compelling families to make difficult choices between upholding time-honored traditions and ensuring their children are adequately prepared for crucial year-end assessments.
Parents have voiced their concerns about the proximity of the two significant events. "Eid is a time for family, for joy, and for connecting with our traditions," shared Fatima Al Shehhi, a mother of three from Dubai. "But with exams looming right after, the usual excitement is definitely dampened. We'll have our family lunch on the first day, but the extended gatherings and outings will have to be curtailed. The priority, unfortunately, has to be revision."
Echoing this sentiment, Abdullah Al Mansouri, a father in Abu Dhabi, explained, "Normally, we would travel to visit extended family in Al Ain or even plan a short getaway. This year, it’s just not feasible. The children need to stay focused. We’ll observe the religious aspects of Eid, of course, but the celebratory mood will be more reserved, with study schedules dominating the holiday."
This sentiment is reflected in reports from various emirates, where families are consciously scaling back on elaborate Eid plans. What was once a period characterized by bustling shopping malls for new clothes and gifts, extensive travel bookings, and late-night social gatherings is, for many, transforming into a quieter affair with an emphasis on home-based revision and academic.
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Schools across the nation have also recognized the pressure on students. Many have been offering intensive virtual academic support sessions leading up to and, in some cases, even during the Eid break to help students prepare for their third-semester exams. School administrators have described these initiatives as crucial opportunities to bolster student performance and confidence during this challenging period.
While some lament the unfortunate timing, others are trying to strike a balance. "It's about finding a middle ground," said Ayesha Khan, a Sharjah resident. "We will celebrate Eid, attend prayers, and have a special meal. But the evenings will be dedicated to quiet study. It’s important for the children to feel the spirit of Eid, but also to understand their responsibilities towards their education."
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| Academic Pressure Casts a Shadow: UAE Families Scale Back Eid Al Adha Celebrations Amidst Final Exams |
Students themselves are feeling the pinch. "I love Eid, the Eidiya (gifts of money), and meeting all my cousins," said 15-year-old Omar Hassan. "But this year, all I can think about are my math and physics exams. I’ll try to enjoy the first day, but then it’s back to the books." Some students, like Sheikha Hamad, a 12th-grade student, believe that with proper prior preparation, Eid can still be enjoyed. She told Khaleej Times, "The secret is in the preparations before Eid. I make sure to study everything I need to, so after Eid, I only need to review. That way, I can enjoy the holiday without any regrets."
Despite the academic pressures, the core tenets of Eid Al Adha – prayer, sacrifice, and charity – will undoubtedly still be observed by Muslim families across the UAE. Mosques will hold special Eid prayers, and many will perform the Qurbani, distributing meat to family, friends, and the needy, ensuring that the spirit of giving remains central to the occasion.
However, the usual extended public revelries and elaborate family celebrations are expected to be noticeably more subdued this year. The familiar sights of crowded entertainment venues and parks during Eid may be less common as study lamps burn late into the night in many homes.
The Ministry of Education has confirmed that end-of-year results are expected to be released between June 30th and July 2nd. For many families, the true celebration and relief will likely come then, once the exams are over and the academic year successfully concluded. Until then, Eid Al Adha 2025 in the UAE will be a unique blend of devotion, familial love, and the undeniable weight of impending examinations – a testament to the balancing act families perform in a society that values both tradition and educational achievement.