Public holidays in the United Arab Emirates represent an important element in the calendar of both citizens of the country and its residents. Holidays enable people to plan their activities in advance, such as trips and gatherings with family and friends.
Some holidays can be identified well in advance. On the other hand, some other public holidays mainly rely on the Islamic lunar calendar to determine their exact dates. Understanding the difference between the two types of holidays would assist individuals and companies in planning more efficiently.
This article sheds light on the public holidays in the UAE, outlines the difference between the two kinds of holidays, and defines which holidays can be identified in advance, while others are considered tentative.
Expected versus confirmed public holiday dates
The public holidays in the UAE can be divided mainly into two categories: the first relies on fixed Gregorian dates, while the other follows the Islamic Hijri calendar. An example of a fixed-date holiday in the country is UAE National Day.
Islamic holidays include Eid Al Fitr, Arafah Day, Eid Al Adha and the Islamic New Year. These public holidays occur approximately 10 to 11 days earlier each year compared to the Gregorian calendar.
Astronomical calculations provide expected dates for these Islamic holidays. However, the exact dates are subject to moon sighting and are officially announced by the UAE authorities. It is advisable to understand the difference in order to plan vacations and gatherings more effectively.
Who is responsible for issuing official announcementsÂ
When it comes to who issues the official holiday announcements in the UAE, it depends on the holiday or the occasion itself. Moreover, it also depends on whether the holiday applies to the federal government sector, the private sector, or both.Â
The UAE Cabinet plays a crucial role in establishing the framework of official public holidays. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) is responsible for announcing holidays for the federal government sector. For the private sector, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) is mainly responsible for announcing public holidays.Â
Regarding Islamic holidays, the exact dates of holidays are identified according to the beginning of the Hijri month. Moreover, some occasions, such as Eid Al Fitr, are announced the night before due to the necessity of moon sighting to determine the exact date.
Public and private sector notices
Generally speaking, public holidays apply to the government and private sectors in the UAE. However, authorities announce separate notices to confirm the exact dates of holidays and any applicable procedures.
In the case of Islamic holidays that are directly linked to the Hijri calendar, the exact dates are usually announced shortly before the occasion or holiday itself. Therefore, Emirati citizens and residents should consider these matters when planning their vacations.
How readers should verify before booking
Readers should clearly know the exact dates, especially those of Islamic holidays, before they prepare for their vacations or trips outside the country. This is because final dates are usually announced within a relatively short period before the holiday.
To verify the exact holiday dates, check announcements issued by the relevant UAE authorities. This is in addition to announcements from the company or employer, in case the reader works in the private sector.
An important matter to take into consideration is that the UAE Cabinet may transfer certain public holidays, other than Eid holidays, to the beginning or the end of the working week. This provides workers with more flexibility to plan their vacations.Â
Additionally, the Emirati government provides an extra public holiday on the Ramadan 30th day if the holy month completes 30 days, as the identification of the precise date of Eid Al Fitr relies on moon sighting on the 29th day of Ramadan.
Beneficial links:
UAE Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024 Concerning the Public Holidays
 FAHR news page that publishes public holiday announcements
