Islamic New Year 2023: UAE announces holiday dates for public and private sector

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) has announced the Hijri New Year holiday for ministries and federal entities in the UAE. The holiday will be on Friday, July 21.

FAHR has issued a circular to all ministries and federal departments notifying the Hijri 1445 holiday. The country will mark the Islamic New Year on the first day of Muharram according to the Islamic calendar.

الهيئة: الجمعة 21 يوليو عطلة #رأس_السنة_الهجرية في الحكومة الاتحادية pic.twitter.com/9GREXk73p4

— FAHR (@FAHR_UAE) July 12, 2023

Holiday for private sector employees

Additionally, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced that July 21, will be an official paid holiday for all private sector employees in the UAE on the occasion of Islamic New Year as well.

The announcement was made based on the Cabinet’s Resolution regarding the official holiday agenda approved for the government and private sectors in the country for 2023.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced that Friday, 21 July, 2023, will be an official paid holiday for all private sector employees in the UAE on the occasion of Islamic New Year (1445H).

Happy Islamic New Year!#MoHRE #UAE

— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) July 12, 2023

The holiday on Friday will ensure that those working in the public and private sector entities will get a three-day long weekend in July.

Hijri New Year

The Hijri New Year signifies the start of a new lunar year for Muslims around the world. Most Muslims mark the first day of the month of Muharram as their new year. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar also known as the Hijri calendar. Muharram 2023 will mark the start of the New Islamic Year 1445.

For many Muslims, the month is a time of prayer, mourning and reflection as well as time to spend with the family.

Islamic New Year holiday in Kuwait and Oman

Meanwhile, Oman has announced July 20 as the day the country will mark its Hijri New Year while Kuwait has announced a two-day holiday on July 19 and 20.