Islamic New Year: UAE announces paid holiday for public and private sectors
Upcoming religious breaks include Mawlid Al Nabawi in September
DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially declared Friday, June 27, 2025, as a paid holiday for both the public and private sectors in observance of the Islamic New Year 1447 AH.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation confirmed the day off for private sector employees, shortly after a similar announcement for the public sector was issued by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR).
Islamic New Year
The Hijri New Year, or Islamic New Year, is a significant occasion that marks the migration (Hijrah) of Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Medina in 622 CE. This event signals the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar and, while observed with less festivity than Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha, remains a deeply meaningful date for Muslims across the globe.
The announcement effectively grants UAE residents a long weekend, as the holiday falls on a Friday, followed by the regular weekend.
Next religious holiday
Following the Islamic New Year, the next major religious observance in the UAE calendar is Mawlid Al Nabawi, the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. This holiday is anticipated to fall on Thursday, September 4, 2025, though the precise date is subject to the official moon-sighting.
Mawlid Al Nabawi, commemorated on the 12th of Rabi Al Awwal, may offer another extended weekend for workers and families. As with all Islamic observances in the UAE, final confirmation is provided by authorised religious bodies based on lunar calculations.
Looking further ahead, Ramadan in 2026 is projected to begin on Wednesday, February 18, depending on moon-sighting. Eid Al Fitr is expected to fall on Friday, March 20, while Eid Al Adha could occur on Tuesday, May 26, following the Dhul Hijjah moon sighting on May 17.
Holiday regulations in UAE
The UAE’s public holiday system is governed by Cabinet Resolution No. 2, which outlines how such breaks are administered. Article 2 permits the Cabinet to shift holidays, except Eid-related ones, to either end of the working week.
However, under Article 3, if a holiday coincides with a weekend or another public holiday, it will not be carried forward or substituted. Furthermore, Article 4 gives local governments the discretion to approve additional official holidays for their specific departments or institutions on special occasions.
The year will conclude with a two-day public holiday marking UAE National Day on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 2 and 3. This celebratory break commemorates the nation’s union and will serve as the final public holiday of the year.