ABU DHABI 19 September 2017: The UAE will observe a paid holiday on the first day of Muharram, which is likely – and that’s what residents are hoping for – to fall on Thursday 21 September. Of course, the actual date is dependent on the sighting of the moon.
But, if the first of Muharram does fall on 21 September, it will result in a long weekend for UAE’s working population = Thursday to Saturday.
The date for the Islamic New Year holiday, 1439 Hijri, for Federal Ministries in the UAE will be on the first day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. It was announced that this will be a paid holiday for all private sector employees in the country, said Wam earlier.
The paid holiday was announced in two circulars issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources. It is based on the provisions of Article 74 of Federal Law No. 08 of 1980 concerning labour relations and its amendments.
Saqr bin Ghobash Saeed Ghobash, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, extended his sincerest greetings and blessings to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and the Rulers of the Emirates.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources also congratulated Emiratis and residents, on the occasion.