Dubai to observe a dry night on April 2
The decision is a result of the Isra and Mi’raj which falls on the 27th day of Rajab
All licensed venues in Dubai must refrain from serving alcohol as of 6pm on Tuesday April 2 until 7pm on Wednesday April 3, according to a circular issued by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTM) to hotels and restaurants across the emirate.
The decision is a result of the Isra and Mi’raj which is observed on the 27th day of Rajab.
It marks the night that Prophet Muhammad travelled from Makkah to Jerusalem and ascended to heaven.
It isn’t yet clear if the UAE will declare a holiday for public and private sectors on April 3.
Read: UAE public and private sector to have same number of national holidays
In March, the UAE Cabinet approved a new decree granting the private sector “equal” public holidays for this year. Thereby, public and private sector companies in the UAE will have the same number of national holidays this year.
At the time of the announcement, the UAE Cabinet also released a list of the holidays for 2019-2020.
According to the list, Isra and Mi’raj was not listed as a holiday.
The next confirmed holiday in the UAE is Eid Al Fitr, likely to fall in the first week of June.
