UAE private sector holiday announced for Hijri New Year

UAE ministry confirms private sector employees will join government workers in enjoying public holiday

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Private sector workers across the UAE will have a long weekend next week to mark the Islamic, or Hijri New Year on Sunday, August 23.

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced all employees would get a public holiday on the day that marks the beginning of the new Islamic year 1442.

Work will resume on Monday, August 24.

Earlier on Thursday, the Federal Authority for the Government had announced Sunday as the Hijri New Year holiday for federal staff.

The holiday commemorates the day on which the Prophet Mohammed migrated from Makkah to Madinah.

Public and private sector employees in the country now have the same number of holidays after a UAE Cabinet decision last year.

This decision removed the disparity in public holidays since earlier people employed in the private sector enjoyed fewer days off than employees of government companies.

There will be no public events to celebrate the Islamic New Year, also known as the Al Hijri New Year with hotels and bars asked not to serve alcohol or host live entertainment. Muslims do not mark the Islamic event with celebrations.