UAE public holidays for 2016 officially announced

The first official dates for the United Arab Emirates’ public holidays for 2016 have been announced by the Abu Dhabi government.

The official reference to determine Islamic occasions, such as the beginning of Ramadan or Haj, is the Hijri calendar. The exact dates will be subject to moon sighting and may differ from the current dates given.

The next public holiday is expected to take place in four months on Thursday May 5, thereby giving workers a long weekend.

All federal ministries, public departments and institutions will be closed on the following holidays:

– January 1, New Year’s Day

– May 5, Israa and Miraj Night*

– July 6, Eid Al Fitr*

– September 2, Haj season*

– September 10, Arafat Day*

– September 11, Eid Al Adha*

– October 2, Hijri New Year*

– November 30, Commemoration Day

– December 2 and 3, UAE National Day

– December 11, Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday*

According to the Abu Dhabi government website, the UAE National Day holiday will be for two days, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha will be three days, and the others will be one day.

* indicate Islamic holidays.