Islamic New Year holiday for UAE public and private sectors announced

The government of the United Arab Emirates has announced a holiday for Hijri New Year for both the public and private sectors.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources announced that public sector workers will get a day off on the first day of Muharram, according to the Islamic calendar. Private sector workers in the country will also get the day off, the ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) announced.

Using the Gregorian calendar, Hijri is expected to fall on Sunday, September 1 – giving workers in the UAE a three-day weekend. However, this is dependent upon the sighting of the moon.

تقرر أن تكون إجازة #رأس_السنة_الهجرية للعام 1441 في الحكومة الاتحادية لدولة #الإمارات_العربية_المتحدة، في اليوم الأول من شهر محرم، وبما يوافق ذلك من التاريخ الميلادي pic.twitter.com/YlFA1oo0zJ

— FAHR (@FAHR_UAE) August 19, 2019

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announces the 1st of Muharram 1441, an official holiday on the occasion of #Hijri_New_Year. This will be a paid holiday for all government entities, establishments, and private companies in the #UAE. pic.twitter.com/fCwKK2l3VJ

— MOHRE_UAE (@MOHRE_UAE) August 19, 2019

Under a new decree approved by the UAE Cabinet in March, public and private sector companies in the UAE will have the same number of national holidays this year and in 2020.

Isra wal Miraj and the Prophet’s birthday – which were previously observed as public holidays – have not been listed.