UAE announces public holiday on Islamic New Year

Dubai: United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a public holiday for the public sector to mark the start of Islamic New Year.

According to Emirati media, the government of UAE has announced the date of the Islamic New Year holiday for federal employees. Friday, July 21 will be a holiday for those working in the federal government on the occasion of Islamic New Year.

Likewise, the Gulf Kingdom of Oman has officially announced the date for celebrating the new Islamic year 1445. The employees will enjoy this holiday given at the government level.

Emirates Astronomical Society (ESA) President Ibrahim Al-Jarwan has predicted that the new Hijri year (Muharram 1) is likely to start on Wednesday, July 19. However the Islamic calendar is based on sightings of the moon so dates change based on when the moon is visible.

On the other hand, Kuwaiti people will enjoy a four-day long weekend on the occasion of the upcoming Islamic New Year. Ministries, institutions, agencies and government bodies will observe a two-day suspension of work followed by a regular weekend on July 21 and 22.