The UAE government has declared Friday, June 27, 2025, as a public holiday for federal employees to mark the Islamic New Year, 1447 AH. The announcement was made by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), granting a long weekend to public sector workers, with regular duties expected to resume on Monday, June 30.
The decision is in line with the UAE Cabinet’s approved list of public holidays for 2025. The Islamic New Year, also known as Hijri New Year, begins with the month of Muharram — one of Islam’s four sacred months. The exact date is determined through traditional moon-sighting methods.
The Hijri calendar, based on lunar cycles, differs from the Gregorian solar calendar, which results in Islamic dates shifting each year. Muharram marks the start of the year and holds religious significance across the Muslim world.
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This holiday follows closely after the Eid Al Adha break, offering UAE residents another opportunity for rest and reflection. The long weekend is expected to boost domestic travel and leisure activities, especially as temperatures rise during the summer months.
While the federal announcement only applies to public sector workers, private sector holidays are usually confirmed separately. In many cases, both sectors observe the same public holidays, but no official notification has yet been issued for private companies regarding time off for the Islamic New Year.