The UAE’s Federal Authority for Government Human Resources announced on Monday that there will be a one-day public holiday to mark the Hijri New Year. The holiday is scheduled for Friday, 27 June.
As per legislation issued by the UAE Cabinet, both public and private sector employees are granted a day off on Muharram 1 to observe the Islamic New Year. The regulation specifies that the duration of the holiday is limited to one day.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is solar-based, the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle. Each Islamic year begins with the sighting of the new moon, causing key Islamic holidays to shift approximately 11 days earlier each year. For example, the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid are both determined by the moon sighting.
Following the recent observance of Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha, the next official holiday in the UAE will be in honour of the Hijri New Year. This event marks the commencement of the Islamic calendar year and is observed on the first day of Muharram. It is celebrated in a manner similar to other national holidays across the Emirates.
