# 2027 GCC messaging calendar: Ramadan, Eid, national days and the legal send windows for SMS

> Ramadan 1448 is expected to start on Monday 8 February 2027, Eid al-Fitr on 9 or 10 March and Eid al-Adha on 16 May — all subject to moon sighting. Here is the full 2027 GCC and MENA messaging calendar, the officially published promotional SMS windows, and when to register sender IDs and templates.

- Canonical URL: https://www.broadnet.me/blog/gcc-messaging-calendar-2027
- Language: en
- Last updated: 2026-09-26
- Publisher: BroadNet (https://www.broadnet.me)

- Published: 2026-09-26
- Author: BroadNet Industry Research

Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027, with Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday 9 or Wednesday 10 March, the Day of Arafah on Saturday 15 May, Eid al-Adha on Sunday 16 May and the Islamic New Year 1449 on Sunday 6 June 2027. These are calculated dates from Saudi Arabia's official Umm al-Qura calendar and the International Astronomical Center; each country confirms the start of Ramadan and the Eids by moon sighting, so they can move by a day. This calendar lists every major 2027 date for GCC and MENA messaging, the promotional SMS windows that regulators have actually published, and the lead times to plan around.

## Key takeaways

- Ramadan 1448 is expected from 8 February 2027; Eid al-Fitr on 9 March (Umm al-Qura) or 10 March (International Astronomical Center, eastern zone). Plan campaigns for both.
- Eid al-Adha is expected on 16 May 2027 and the Islamic New Year 1449 on 6 June 2027; the UAE gives three days for each Eid and one day for the Hijri New Year.
- Fixed national days to plan around: Saudi Founding Day (22 February) and National Day (23 September), Kuwait (25–26 February), Oman (20–21 November), the UAE (2–3 December), Bahrain (16–17 December) and Qatar (18 December).
- Only three GCC regulators publish a clock window for promotional SMS: the UAE (no marketing texts 21:00–07:00), Saudi Arabia (no promotional messages 22:00–09:00, and 01:00–12:00 in Ramadan) and Qatar (no direct marketing 21:00–09:00).
- For Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt and Jordan we found no regulator-published window: agree sending hours with the operator and keep promotions to local daytime.
- OTPs and transactional alerts are not promotional traffic and run 24/7 — keep them on separate sender IDs so seasonal campaigns never delay a login code.
- Register new sender IDs and approve WhatsApp templates at least a month before Ramadan: BroadNet's typical GCC sender-ID lead times run from 5 to 10 business days, and 7 to 14 in Egypt.

## When is Ramadan 2027?

Ramadan 1448 AH is expected to start on Monday 8 February 2027. Both of the calculated calendars we checked agree: Saudi Arabia's official Umm al-Qura calendar, published by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), places 1 Ramadan 1448 on 8 February 2027, and the International Astronomical Center's Universal Hijri Calendar gives Monday 8 February for both its eastern and western zones, after a new moon on Saturday 6 February 2027 at 15:56 UTC.

The official start is still declared by each country after the crescent is sighted (or not) on the evening of the 29th of Sha'ban, so treat 8 February as expected, not confirmed. A month of Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days, which is why the Eid date below comes with two possibilities. For how audiences behave during the month — the post-iftar evening peak, tone and capacity — see our [Ramadan messaging guide](https://www.broadnet.me/blog/ramadan-campaign-timing-gulf).

## When are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in 2027?

Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal 1448) is expected on Tuesday 9 March 2027 by the Umm al-Qura calendar, and on Wednesday 10 March 2027 in the eastern zone of the International Astronomical Center's calendar (Tuesday 9 March in its western zone). Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also uses 9 March 2027 (1 Shawwal 1448) as the last day for issuing Umrah visas this season. Eid al-Adha (10 Dhu al-Hijjah 1448) is expected on Sunday 16 May 2027, after the Day of Arafah on Saturday 15 May; both calendars place 1 Dhu al-Hijjah on Friday 7 May. Pilgrims' connectivity is covered in our [Hajj and Umrah eSIM guide](https://www.broadnet.me/blog/hajj-umrah-esim-connectivity-guide).

Holiday length is set by each government. In the UAE, Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 fixes Eid al-Fitr at 1–3 Shawwal (plus 30 Ramadan when the month runs 30 days), the Day of Arafah on 9 Dhu al-Hijjah and Eid al-Adha on 10–12 Dhu al-Hijjah, for both the public and private sectors. Other countries announce their Eid holidays each year.

## The 2027 GCC and MENA messaging calendar

Dates marked "expected" follow the lunar calendar and depend on moon sighting; national days are fixed, though governments can move the day off — Egypt's Cabinet regularly shifts its national holidays to a Thursday by decree, and Bahrain compensates a holiday that falls on a Friday or Saturday. Each government announces its exact 2027 days off during the year. Weekdays are for 2027.

| Date (2027) | Occasion | Where | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 1 Jan | New Year's Day | UAE public holiday | UAE Cabinet Resolution 27/2024 |
| Mon 25 Jan | 25 January Revolution and Police Day | Egypt official holiday (observed day set by decree) | Egyptian Cabinet decrees |
| Mon 8 Feb (expected) | 1 Ramadan 1448 | All markets | Umm al-Qura; International Astronomical Center |
| Tue 9 Feb | National Sport Day (second Tuesday of February) | Qatar official holiday | Amiri Diwan via QNA |
| Mon 22 Feb | Founding Day | Saudi Arabia official holiday | Royal Order via SPA |
| Thu 25 – Fri 26 Feb | National Day and Liberation Day | Kuwait official holidays | Central Bank of Kuwait closures |
| Tue 9 or Wed 10 Mar (expected) | Eid al-Fitr, 1 Shawwal 1448 | All markets | Umm al-Qura (9 Mar); IAC eastern zone (10 Mar) |
| Sun 25 Apr | Sinai Liberation Day | Egypt official holiday (observed day set by decree) | Egyptian Cabinet decrees |
| Sat 15 May (expected) | Day of Arafah, 9 Dhu al-Hijjah | UAE public holiday; Hajj | Umm al-Qura; UAE Resolution 27/2024 |
| Sun 16 May (expected) | Eid al-Adha, 10 Dhu al-Hijjah | All markets | Umm al-Qura; IAC |
| Sun 6 Jun (expected) | Islamic New Year, 1 Muharram 1449 | UAE public holiday | Umm al-Qura; UAE Resolution 27/2024 |
| Wed 30 Jun | 30 June Revolution anniversary | Egypt official holiday (observed day set by decree) | Egyptian Cabinet decrees |
| Fri 23 Jul | Revolution Day | Egypt official holiday (observed day set by decree) | Egyptian Cabinet decrees |
| Sat 14 Aug (expected) | Prophet's Birthday, 12 Rabi' al-Awwal 1449 | UAE public holiday | Umm al-Qura; UAE Resolution 27/2024 |
| Thu 23 Sep | Saudi National Day | Saudi Arabia official holiday | SPA |
| Wed 6 Oct | Armed Forces Day | Egypt official holiday (observed day set by decree) | Egyptian Cabinet decrees |
| Thu 11 Nov | 11.11 online shopping day | Retail event, not a holiday | Fixed date |
| Sat 20 – Sun 21 Nov | Oman National Day | Oman public holiday | Royal Decree 15/2025 |
| Fri 26 Nov | White Friday / Black Friday sales | Retail event, not a holiday | Day after the US Thanksgiving (25 Nov) |
| Thu 2 – Fri 3 Dec | National Day (Eid Al Etihad) | UAE public holiday | UAE Cabinet Resolution 27/2024 |
| Thu 16 – Fri 17 Dec | National Day and Accession Day | Bahrain official holidays | Decree No. 40 of 2002 |
| Sat 18 Dec | Qatar National Day | Qatar official holiday | Amiri Diwan via QNA |
| Fri 31 Dec | Year-end sales and greetings | All markets | Fixed date |

## What are the legal hours for promotional SMS in the GCC?

Only three GCC regulators publish a clock window for promotional or marketing SMS in texts we could read. Transactional traffic — OTPs, delivery and banking alerts — is outside these rules everywhere and runs around the clock.

| Market | Promotional window | Official source | Ramadan rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | 07:00–21:00 (no marketing texts 21:00–07:00) | TDRA Regulatory Policy on Unsolicited Electronic Communications, v1.1 | None published |
| Saudi Arabia | 09:00–22:00 (no promotional messages 22:00–09:00) | CST Regulations for Curbing SPAM Messages & Calls | Promotional messages banned 01:00–12:00 |
| Qatar | 09:00–21:00 (no direct marketing 21:00–09:00) | CRA Spam Regulation (amended 2017) | None published |
| Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman | No regulator-published window found | Agree with the operator | — |
| Egypt, Jordan | No regulator-published window found | Agree with the operator | — |

Two details matter for planning. In Saudi Arabia the CST text sets a separate Ramadan ban from 01:00 to 12:00; scheduling Ramadan promotions between 12:00 and 22:00 satisfies both the daily and the Ramadan rule. In the UAE, Cabinet Resolution No. 56 of 2024 limits marketing calls to 09:00–18:00 and its definition of telemarketing also covers marketing texts, so many UAE senders keep promotional SMS inside that narrower window — we explain it in [UAE Cabinet Resolution 56 explained](https://www.broadnet.me/blog/uae-tdra-cabinet-decision-56-explained). Country details: [UAE](https://www.broadnet.me/regulations/uae), [Saudi Arabia](https://www.broadnet.me/regulations/saudi-arabia) and [Qatar](https://www.broadnet.me/regulations/qatar) regulations, and the [SMS quiet hours](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-are-sms-quiet-hours) explainer. Our [send-window planner](https://www.broadnet.me/tools/send-window-planner) applies these windows by country.

## How far ahead should you register sender IDs and templates?

Every GCC market requires alphanumeric sender IDs to be pre-registered, and a new brand name, a new AD- marketing sender in the UAE or a new use case usually needs its own registration. These are BroadNet's typical registration lead times from our coverage pages; the regulator or operator sets the actual timing.

| Market | Regulator | Typical sender-ID lead time | Register by (for 8 Feb 2027) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | TDRA | 5–7 business days | Mid-January 2027 |
| Saudi Arabia | CST | 5–10 business days | Mid-January 2027 |
| Qatar | CRA | 5–7 business days | Mid-January 2027 |
| Kuwait | CITRA | 5–7 business days | Mid-January 2027 |
| Bahrain | TRA | 5–7 business days | Mid-January 2027 |
| Oman | TRA | 5–10 business days | Mid-January 2027 |
| Egypt | NTRA | 7–14 business days | Early January 2027 |
| Jordan | TRC | 5–7 business days | Mid-January 2027 |

The "register by" column leaves room for a rejection and a resubmission before the season starts. Apply the same margin to WhatsApp: marketing templates for Ramadan, Eid and White Friday need approval before launch, and every recipient needs an opt-in. Guides: [how to register a sender ID](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/how-to-register-sender-id), [Saudi CST sender-ID registration](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/sender-id-registration-ksa-cst) and [WhatsApp template messages](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/whatsapp-template-message-guide). Market pages: [Kuwait](https://www.broadnet.me/coverage/kuwait), [Bahrain](https://www.broadnet.me/coverage/bahrain), [Oman](https://www.broadnet.me/coverage/oman), [Qatar](https://www.broadnet.me/coverage/qatar), [Saudi Arabia](https://www.broadnet.me/coverage/saudi-arabia) and the [UAE](https://www.broadnet.me/coverage/uae).

## How should you plan the 2027 messaging year?

1. December–January: register sender IDs, submit Ramadan and Eid WhatsApp templates, and refresh opt-in lists, removing opt-outs.
2. Late January: load Ramadan schedules with both Eid dates (9 and 10 March) prepared, and confirm capacity for the Eid peak with your provider.
3. From 8 February (expected): shift promotional sends to the evening, inside each country's window — in Saudi Arabia between 12:00 and 22:00.
4. The night before Eid: send greetings and last-day offers inside the window; never after 21:00 in the UAE or Qatar, or after 22:00 in Saudi Arabia.
5. Late April: prepare Eid al-Adha and Hajj-season messaging for an expected 16 May, with the Day of Arafah on 15 May.
6. June to August: schedule Islamic New Year (6 June) and Prophet's Birthday (14 August) greetings where they fit your brand.
7. October–November: book White Friday (26 November) and 11.11 (11 November) campaigns early; they overlap national-day promotions in Oman and the UAE.
8. Throughout: keep OTPs and alerts on transactional senders so no campaign can delay a login code.

> BroadNet runs A2P SMS, WhatsApp Business API and RCS over 1,000+ direct operator connections and registers GCC sender IDs as part of onboarding. See [A2P SMS](https://www.broadnet.me/products/a2p-sms) and [WhatsApp Business API](https://www.broadnet.me/products/whatsapp-business-api).

## Frequently asked questions

### When does Ramadan start in 2027?

Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027, according to Saudi Arabia's Umm al-Qura calendar and the International Astronomical Center. Each country confirms the date by moon sighting.

### When is Eid al-Fitr 2027?

Eid al-Fitr is expected on Tuesday 9 March 2027 (Umm al-Qura calendar) or Wednesday 10 March 2027 (International Astronomical Center, eastern zone), depending on whether Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days and on the moon sighting.

### When is Eid al-Adha 2027?

Eid al-Adha is expected on Sunday 16 May 2027, with the Day of Arafah on Saturday 15 May. Both calculated calendars place 1 Dhu al-Hijjah 1448 on Friday 7 May 2027.

### Can I send promotional SMS during Ramadan in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, within the CST window. Its rules ban promotional messages from 22:00 to 09:00 daily and from 01:00 to 12:00 during Ramadan; sending between 12:00 and 22:00 satisfies both.

### What time can I send marketing SMS in the UAE?

The TDRA bars marketing texts between 21:00 and 07:00 UAE time. Cabinet Resolution No. 56 of 2024 limits marketing calls to 09:00–18:00 and covers marketing texts in its definition, so many senders use the narrower window.

### Are OTP messages affected by quiet hours or holidays?

No. The published windows apply to marketing and promotional messages. OTPs and transactional alerts can be sent at any time, and should run on separate sender IDs from seasonal campaigns.

### When is UAE National Day 2027?

The UAE's National Day holiday (Eid Al Etihad) is 2 and 3 December under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 — Thursday and Friday in 2027.

### Is White Friday a public holiday?

No. White Friday is the Middle East name for the Black Friday retail sales, on Friday 26 November 2027. It is a commercial event, so the normal promotional windows apply.

We read every source below on 26 September 2026; lunar dates are calculated and labelled "expected". See our [editorial standards](https://www.broadnet.me/about/editorial-standards).

## Sources

- Umm al-Qura Calendar (official calendar of Saudi Arabia, KACST) — Hijri year data for 1448 and 1449 AH (accessed 26 September 2026): [ummulqura.org.sa](https://www.ummulqura.org.sa/en/calendar).
- International Astronomical Center — crescent predictions for Ramadan 1448 ([astronomycenter.net](https://astronomycenter.net/icop/ram48.html)), Shawwal 1448 ([astronomycenter.net](https://astronomycenter.net/icop/shw48.html)) and Dhu al-Hijjah 1448 ([astronomycenter.net](https://astronomycenter.net/icop/hej48.html)), accessed 26 September 2026.
- Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Umrah season calendar for 1448 AH, 17 May 2026: [haj.gov.sa](https://haj.gov.sa/en/Media-Center/Ministry-News/2026/Ministry-of-Hajj-and-Umrah-Announces-the-Umrah-Season-Calendar-for-1448-AH).
- UAE Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024 Concerning the Public Holidays in the State, 1 April 2024 (read from the web.archive.org copy): [uaelegislation.gov.ae](https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/2595).
- Saudi Press Agency — Royal Order designating 22 February as Founding Day, 27 January 2022: [spa.gov.sa](https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/ffb8a68c23); National Day as an official holiday for the private sector: [spa.gov.sa](https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/8b3215ed44).
- Qatar News Agency — Amiri Diwan holiday announcements for National Day (16 December 2025) and National Sports Day (8 February 2026): [qna.org.qa](https://www.qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2025-12/16/amiri-diwan-announces-national-day-holiday), [qna.org.qa](https://www.qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-2/8/amiri-diwan-announces-national-sports-day-holiday).
- Central Bank of Kuwait — closure for National Day and Liberation Day, 22 February 2026: [cbk.gov.kw](https://www.cbk.gov.kw/en/cbk-news/announcements-and-press-releases/announcements).
- Bahrain Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission — Decree No. 40 of 2002 on official holidays: [lloc.gov.bh](https://www.lloc.gov.bh/Legislation/HTM/D4002).
- Egyptian Cabinet — holiday decrees for 25 January, 25 April, 30 June, 23 July and 6 October (2025–2026): [cabinet.gov.eg](https://www.cabinet.gov.eg/News/Details/85811).
- Oman Observer — Royal Decree No 15/2025 on National Day holidays, 21 January 2025: [omanobserver.om](https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1165158/oman/his-majesty/hm-issues-royal-decree-regarding-national-day-holidays).
- TDRA — Regulatory Policy on Unsolicited Electronic Communications, version 1.1, 13 June 2022, clauses 8.3 and 9.2.4 (web.archive.org copy): [tdra.gov.ae](https://tdra.gov.ae/-/media/About/regulations-and-ruling/EN/cellular-phone-spam-regulatory-policy-English.ashx).
- CST — Regulations for Curbing SPAM Messages & Calls, clause 4.4.10: [cst.gov.sa](https://www.cst.gov.sa/en/regulations-and-licenses/regulations/Document-522).
- CRA Qatar — Spam Regulation (amended 2017): [cra.gov.qa](https://www.cra.gov.qa/-/media/System/1/A/1/B/1A1B31855B7654C4A360A3C20E55D739/Spam-Regulation-Amended-English-Version.ashx).