UAE confirms Islamic New Year holiday for public and private sectors

Public and private sector workers in the UAE will receive a holiday on Thursday, September 21 to mark the Hijri New Year, officials have confirmed.

All federal government employees will resume work after the weekend on Sunday, September 24, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources announced on Tuesday.

The holiday on Thursday will also enable private sector workers to observe the Islamic New Year with their families, said Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

Officials had previously confirmed that public and private sector workers in the UAE will receive one day off on the first day of Muharram to mark the occasion.

Read more: UAE announces public and private sector holiday for Islamic New Year

A new calendar released by the UAE for Hijri 1439 on Monday stated that the first day of Muharram will fall on Thursday, September 21, 2017.

Read more: Islamic New Year likely to begin on Thursday as per new UAE Hijri calendar

The start of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is confirmed by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee.

The Islamic New Year also coincides with the Prophet Mohammed’s journey from Makkah to Madinah.

It is considered an occasion for religious activities and reflection by Muslims in contrast to the elaborate celebrations seen at the start of each Gregorian year.