Islamic New Year, also called the Hijri New Year is the day that marks the beginning of a new lunar Muslim calendar. The first day of the Islamic year is observed by most Muslims on the first day of the month of Muharram.
The Saudi Arabia Supreme Court announced that Saturday, July 30, will be the first day of the month of Muharram for 1444 Hijri, according to Umm Al Qura calendar.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced the holiday to mark the Hijri New Year 1444, and its corresponding date on the Gregorian calendar is likely to fall on Saturday, July 30, as per astronomical calculations.
Islamic New Year holiday for private and public sector
The United Arab Emirates has announced paid holiday for all private and public sector employees working across the country, on the occasion of Islamic new year (1444H).
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has tweeted “Hijri New Year Holiday in the Federal Government is on 1st of Muharram 1444,”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has also announced earlier this year that this Saturday, July 30, would be a paid public holiday for private sector employees to mark Hijiri New Year.
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced that Saturday, July 30, 2022, will be an official paid holiday for all private sector employees in the UAE on the occasion of #IslamicNewYear (1444H). We wish you a happy Islamic New Year. #UAE #MOHRE pic.twitter.com/0NzBTSPyVY
— MOHRE_UAE وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) July 24, 2022
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) said this is in line with the decree issued by the UAE Cabinet to unify the official holidays of public and private sectors in 2021 and 2022. Unified holidays signify that Emiratis and expats working in government departments and private companies are entitled to the same official days off for national and religious events.
Thus, Saturday, July 30, would be an official paid holiday for all private and public sector employees to mark the Islamic new year.
While it doesn’t mean a long weekend for those with Saturdays-Sundays off, it is a relief for Saturday workers.
Sharjah Municipality announces free parking
Sharjah City Municipality has announced that all public parking spaces across the city will be free on Muharram, on the occasion of the Hijri New Year.
Paid parking spaces in the zones, which are subject to the paid parking system during weekends and holidays, are excluded from the decision. The seven-day paid parking zones can be identified by the blue parking information signs.
Islamic calendar and Islamic New Year
Islamic calendar, also known as Hijri calendar, is based on the revolutions of the Moon rather than the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the solar system. Thus, it is only 354 days long. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. The Hijri calendar consists of 12 months determined by the lunar cycle.
Islamic New Year is celebrated on the first day of Muharram, the first Islamic month.
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When is the next holiday in the UAE?
After Islamic New Year holiday, there are only three public holidays remaining in 2022 – the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, Commemoration Day and National Day.
The Prophet’s Birthday
The next official holiday in the UAE falls on a Saturday, October 8, to mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH).
Commemoration Day and National Day
The holiday to mark the Commemoration Day and UAE National Day will mean a four-day long weekend for all residents of the UAE. Commemoration Day on December 1st, and UAE National Day from Friday December 2nd to Saturday December 3rd; and December 4th is a Sunday, and that makes it a four-day holiday.
