The government has officially announced Friday, June 27, as a public holiday for public sector employees to mark the beginning of the Islamic New Year, 1447 AH.
According to a statement issued by the UAE Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), the holiday will apply to all employees in federal government departments, allowing them a three-day weekend. Regular work is expected to resume on Monday, June 30.
The announcement follows the UAE Cabinet’s approved list of official holidays for the year 2025. As per Islamic tradition, the date of the Hijri New Year is confirmed through moon-sighting procedures, with the first day of Muharram marking the start of the new Islamic year.
The Hijri calendar is based on lunar cycles, and Muharram is regarded as one of the four sacred months in Islam. The New Year holiday comes shortly after the extended break granted to residents during the Eid Al Adha celebrations earlier this month.
While the private sector’s holiday schedule is typically announced separately, it often aligns with the public sector’s calendar. However, there has been no official word yet regarding any additional leave for private sector employees.
