UAE announces extended holiday for National Day

The UAE Cabinet has declared two days of holiday for public and private sector workers to celebrate the country’ 47th National Day.

Employees in both sectors will receive December 2 and 3 off to mark the occasion, state news agency WAM reported.

This will mean a four-day weekend for those that normally receive Friday and Saturday off.

“The Cabinet extended warm greetings and best wishes on the occasion to the people of the UAE,” WAM said.

The UAE was founded on December 2, 1971 after six of the current seven emirates decided to form a federation in response to a British decision to withdraw from what was then known as the Trucial States.

The seventh emirate, Ras Al Khaimah, joined the federation on February 10, 1972.

Workers in the UAE also enjoyed a day off on Sunday to mark the the anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday.

Read: UAE ministry announces private sector holiday for Prophet’s birthday

UAE law allows the government to shift national holidays to the closest weekend to avoid disruption.