Nine-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday announced in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Days long Eid holidays are a traditional feature in the Saudi culture and everyone outside the Kingdom frantically want their own country to replicate this ‘generosity’ Saudi government bless their citizens with.

Like Eids in the yesteryears, the Saudi government has announced a nine-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday for banks, insurance companies, stock exchanges and other businesses in the finance sector in the country.

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (Sama) confirmed that the holiday will begin on Friday, August 17, and resume on Sunday, August 26.

The same long weekend will be observed by those dealing in the stock market, with the Saudi Stock Exchange announcing that trading will discontinue at the end of business on August 16 and resume after the holiday on August 26.

However, banks located in holy places like Mecca and Medina, as well as those at border crossings, will remain open during the Hajj season, including Fridays and Saturdays, to serve pilgrims and visitors.

Branches in busy or densely populated areas, including airports and various border crossings, are also required to remain open at certain periods during the Eid holidays.