UAE Declares June 27 Holiday for Hijri New Year 2025

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

The United Arab Emirates has announced a public holiday for the Hijri New Year. This one-day holiday will be on Friday, June 27, 2025. The announcement was made by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources. This means that government offices across the UAE will be closed on that day.

It is expected that the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation will soon confirm the same holiday for the private sector as well. This would give both public and private sector workers a day off to mark the beginning of the Islamic New Year.

What is the Hijri New Year?

The Hijri New Year is also called the Islamic New Year. It marks the journey of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 CE. This journey is known as the Hijrah, and it is the event that begins the Islamic lunar calendar.

Unlike Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha, the Islamic New Year is not celebrated with big events or gatherings. Still, it is an important date for Muslims around the world and is a time for quiet reflection and prayer. In the UAE, it is recognized as a public holiday.

Next Religious Holiday: Mawlid Al Nabawi

The next Islamic holiday after the New Year will be Mawlid Al Nabawi, which celebrates the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. This is expected to fall on Thursday, September 4, 2025. As always, the exact date will be confirmed only after the moon is sighted, as per Islamic tradition.

Islamic Holiday Dates in 2026 (Expected)

Looking ahead to 2026, some key Islamic dates are likely to fall during cooler months. However, all these dates are based on the lunar calendar and will be confirmed after moon sightings.

• Ramadan 2026: Expected to begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims.

• Eid Al Fitr 2026: Likely to fall on Friday, March 20, 2026, marking the end of Ramadan. This could bring a three-day weekend for people living in the UAE.

• Eid Al Adha 2026: Expected around Tuesday, May 26, 2026, based on the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah moon on May 17, 2026. Eid Al Adha is one of the most important Islamic holidays.

People in the UAE always look forward to these holidays, not just as a time to rest but also as a chance to remember and honor important moments in Islamic history.