The UAE’s Federal Authority for Government Human Resources announced on Monday a one-day holiday for Hijri New Year. The holiday will take place on Friday, June 27.
According to legislation passed by the UAE Cabinet, both the public and private sectors observe Hijri New Year on Muharram 1. The legislation confirms that the holiday extends for one day.
Unlike the widely used Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar operates on the lunar cycle, marking the start of each Islamic year based on the sighting of the new moon. This means that all significant holidays in the Islamic calendar appear to shift forward approximately 11 days each year. For instance, the sighting of the moon determines the end of the month-long period of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid.
With the recent conclusion of Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha, the next holiday in the UAE will be for Hijri New Year. This holiday marks the beginning of every year in the Hijri calendar and falls on the first day of Muharram. The occasion is celebrated like any other public holiday in the UAE.
Upcoming UAE holidays
Following the Hijri New Year, the UAE will have two public holidays left for 2025: Prophet’s Birthday, which falls on Rabi’ Al Awal 12, and National Day, which is celebrated on December 2 and 3 of each year.
Prophet’s Birthday
This year, the Prophet’s Birthday holiday is expected to fall on September 4. The Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, celebrated on the 12th of Rabi Al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar, is widely recognized across many Islamic nations, including those in the Gulf region. These countries, including the UAE, typically mark the day with a national holiday.
Read| UAE holiday calendar for 2025: When is the next holiday and long weekend?
National Day
The last holiday of the year is National Day. The UAE National Day holiday is set for December 2 and 3. This is the day when the rulers of the emirates signed a unification agreement to create the United Arab Emirates, thus transforming the separate states into one thriving nation. Events and decorations can be seen all around the country to mark the occasion.
The national flag can be seen fluttering at key buildings. Schools and offices mark the occasion with a flag-hoisting ceremony. Streets and important landmarks are lit up with the national colors. Even cars are decorated under strict regulations. Fireworks are also held at several locations and events highlighting the UAE’s rich culture and history are held across the country.
