UAE announces public and private sector holiday for Islamic New Year

Public and private sector workers in the UAE will receive one day off on the first day of Muharram to mark the Islamic New Year, the country’s Federal Authority for Government Human Resources announced on Sunday.

The first day of Muharram will be determined by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee, but it is expected to fall on Thursday, September 21 or Friday, September 22.

غرة محرم عطلة القطاع الخاص بمناسبة رأس السنة الهجرية #الامارات pic.twitter.com/Os6EBEdmRA

— MOHRE_UAE (@MOHRE_UAE) September 17, 2017

It is not known whether an extra day will be given as holiday if the first day of Muharram falls on Friday – a public holiday.

Meanwhile the Omani government also announced the Islamic New Year holiday for public sector employees in the country.

If the first day of Muharram falls on Friday, September 22, then the holiday will be on Sunday, September 24, local daily Times of Oman reported.

The Islamic new year is celebrated on the first day of Muharram, the first Islamic month, and 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.