Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) in Chad
In Chad, Eid al-Adha is a nationwide nonworking public holiday, also known as Tabaski. Its date follows the Islamic lunar calendar, and the holiday’s legal treatment distinguishes it from several other public holidays that receive paid status and a Monday substitute when they fall on Sunday.[1][2]
A public holiday under Chadian law
Chad’s 1997 decree lists Aïd El Adha among the days declared public holidays and nonworking throughout the country. It places the day in a different category from the holidays that the decree expressly calls nonworking and paid; for those other holidays, the decree also specifies a Monday off when they fall on Sunday.[1]
The decree says nonworking holidays in the first category do not give workers an indemnity and may be recovered. Its Monday-substitute rule applies to the separate list of paid holidays, which does not include Eid al-Adha. The decree does not set out separate opening rules for banks, schools, shops or transport services, so check with the relevant provider before making plans.[1]
Meaning and observance
Eid al-Adha begins on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijja, the final month of the Muslim calendar. The lunar calendar means its Gregorian date moves earlier by about eleven days in a typical year. The festival is linked to the Hajj pilgrimage and commemorates Abraham’s willingness to obey God; in Muslim tradition, God provided a ram in place of Abraham’s son.[3]
In Chad, the holiday is also called Tabaski. The U.S. government’s trade guide lists Eid al-Adha (Tabaski) among Chad’s public holidays, while a U.S. government country guide describes Muslim families in Chad sacrificing a sheep or goat and sharing a meal featuring the meat.[2]
Planning around the day
Because Eid al-Adha is designated nonworking nationwide, people who need to visit a public office should plan around the holiday. The decree does not identify which individual services must close, nor does it guarantee that every private business or transport operator will follow the same schedule.[1]
For travel, shopping or banking, confirm hours directly with the service you intend to use. Chad’s trade guide describes the date as variable and advises travelers to confirm Muslim holiday dates, which follow the lunar calendar.[2]
Frequently asked questions
Is Eid al-Adha a public holiday in Chad?
Yes. Chadian law lists Aïd El Adha as a public, nonworking holiday throughout the country.[1]
Do workers get a paid day off or a substitute Monday?
The decree places Eid al-Adha among nonworking holidays that are not paid and may be recovered. Its Monday substitute rule applies to a separate list of paid holidays, not Eid al-Adha.[1]
When does Eid al-Adha take place?
It begins on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijja. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, its Gregorian date shifts earlier by about eleven days in a typical year.[3]
Are banks, shops and transport services open?
The decree does not specify opening hours for those services. Check directly with your bank, shop or transport operator before travelling.[1]
What is Tabaski in Chad?
Tabaski is another name used for Eid al-Adha in Chad. A U.S. government country guide describes Chadian Muslim families sacrificing a sheep or goat and sharing a meal featuring the meat.[2]
Sources and references
Sources used for Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) in Chad:
- Décret 97-413 1997-09-30 PR/MFPT — Décret portant révision de la liste et du régime des jours fériés et chômés- International Labour Organization, NATLEX
- Chad Country Commercial Guide: Business Travel- International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
- Eid al-Adha- The Open University, OpenLearn