Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) in Tunisia

Meaning and date

Eid al-Adha recalls the account of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. It falls during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, at the close of the annual Hajj pilgrimage; its Gregorian date shifts from year to year because the Islamic calendar is lunar.[2]

Public-holiday status

Presidential Decree No. 2021-223 lists Eid al-Adha as a two-day holiday for personnel of the state, local authorities and public administrative institutions.[1]

The decree’s scope is these public employees; it does not by itself establish the leave terms for every private employer. For example, Tunisia’s national collective agreement for press companies lists both the first and second days of Eid al-Adha as paid days of rest. Workers in other sectors should check the agreement or policy that applies to their employment.[1][4]

Observing the holiday

Sacrifice is a visible part of Eid preparations in Tunisia. The National Authority for Food Safety publishes guidance for people handling sacrificial animals, covering purchase, transport, keeping, slaughter, meat inspection and storage. This supports describing animal sacrifice as a local practice, though it does not establish that every household takes part.[3]

The authority’s guidance advises clean handling and proper refrigeration or freezing of meat. These instructions give a practical picture of household work that may accompany the observance.[3]

Planning around closures

The two-day public-sector leave means state offices and the public administrative institutions covered by the decree observe holiday leave. Travelers should check with the particular office, bank, shop or transport operator they plan to use.[1]