Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

 The UAE government has officially declared June 27 as a paid public holiday for both public and private sector employees to mark the Islamic New Year. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) on Monday (June 16), confirming that the Islamic New Year will be observed as an official day off across private companies in the country. This aligns with an earlier circular issued by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) that declared the same date as a holiday for all federal government employees. In its announcement, FAHR extended “congratulations to the leadership, government, and people of the United Arab Emirates, as well as to the Arab and Islamic nations, praying to Almighty God to return it upon them with continued health and well-being.” Because the holiday falls on a Friday, federal and private sector employees can expect a three-day weekend, with the regular weekend continuing through Saturday and Sunday, and work resuming on Monday, June 30. This is the first official public holiday after Eid Al Adha, and many residents are already planning quick getaways, staycations, or relaxing at home during the extended break. The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of the Hijri calendar, a significant date that commemorates the Hijrah (migration) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madinah, a pivotal moment in Islamic history. The UAE maintains a unified public holiday calendar, and while public sector holidays are announced first, the private sector typically follows suit to ensure nationwide observance. ICA/Expat Media
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