Hijri New Year: UAE announces paid holiday for private sector employees

Private sector employees in the UAE will get Friday, June 27, as a paid holiday for Islamic New Year, marking the beginning of the Hijri year 1447 AH.

Some employees who get Saturday as a weekend along with Sunday will enjoy a long weekend from June 27 to June 29, making it a 3-day weekend for them. Regular working hours are expected to resume on Monday, June 30.

Public sector employees will also get similar days of holidays. A unified holiday policy implemented in the UAE for public and private sector workers ensures all employees get equal breaks throughout the year.

The Hijri New Year holiday follows the long break residents enjoyed during the Eid Al Adha holidays at the beginning of June.

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The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre) announcement applies to all private sector employees in the country.

The Islamic, or Hijri, calendar is based on lunar months, and the New Year begins on the first day of Muharram, the calendar’s first month.

The date was confirmed in line with the approved list of official holidays for 2025, issued by the UAE Cabinet.