Hijri New Year: UAE announces day off for public sector

The UAE government has officially declared Friday, June 27, 2025, as a public holiday to mark the Islamic New Year, ushering in the Hijri year 1447 AH. The announcement was made by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), granting a three-day weekend for public sector employees.

Normal working hours will resume on Monday, June 30. The decision aligns with the UAE Cabinet’s approved list of public holidays for 2025, which designates Islamic occasions based on moon-sighting methods.

The Islamic, or Hijri, calendar is a lunar system, with the New Year beginning on the first day of Muharram—the first month in the Islamic calendar. The holiday comes shortly after the extended break observed for Eid Al Adha, offering residents another opportunity for rest and reflection.

The UAE regularly observes Islamic holidays in accordance with religious traditions and the lunar calendar, providing advance notice to ensure clarity for employees and institutions.