The United Arab Emirates declares an official holiday on the occasion of the Hijri New Year 2026/Photo: Getty Images
On Monday, June 15, the United Arab Emirates announced an official holiday for government employees and workers in the private sector on the occasion of the Hijri New Year 1448.This announcement was made by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in accordance with the list of official holidays approved by the UAE Cabinet for the year 2026.Government offices and private companies will suspend their operations for today, with normal business hours resuming on Tuesday, June 16.
A Monday holiday will create a three-day weekend for employees who celebrate the weekend from Saturday to Sunday. In Sharjah, where government employees and students follow a four-day work week with Friday, Saturday and Sunday as a weekend, the occasion will lead to a four-day break.The Hijri New Year marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar and falls on the first day of Muharram, the opening month of the calendar.This occasion commemorates the Hijra, the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace) from Mecca to Medina, a pivotal event in Islamic history that serves as the starting point for the Islamic calendar.This date is officially celebrated throughout the UAE as one of the country’s recognized public holidays.
