Important UAE dates for the rest of 2018

Here is our guide to the important dates in the UAE and public holidays scheduled for the rest of 2018.

UAE Holidays 2018:

* Dates of Islamic holidays are subject to change in accordance with the moon sighting

April 13 – Al Isra'a Wal Mi’raj – Ascension Day

Al Isra'a Wal Mi’raj is an Islamic holiday, which is observed annually on the 27th day of the Islamic month of Rajab, according to the Hijri calendar. The holiday marks the night Allah took Mohammad (PBUH) on a journey from Makkah to Jerusalem, and then to heaven. The journey was made in a single night, hence the name.

In 2018 the holiday falls on Friday, April 13.

June 15/16 – Eid Al Fitr

Roughly translated, Eid Al Fitr means 'festival of breaking the fast'. The holiday is a celebration which marks the end of Ramadan (which is forecast to end on June 15 or 16). It is a time to show kindness to others and love for Allah.

Eid Al Fitr begins automatically after the last day of Ramadan, on the first day of Shawwal. Holidays vary between one or two days from the start of Eid Al Fitr.

June 15 and 16 fall on a Friday and Saturday respectively.

August 21 – Arafat Day

Arafat Day is the second day of the annual haj (or pilgrimage). The holiday takes place the day before the start of Eid Al Adha. At dawn, Muslim pilgrims make their way from Mina to a nearby hillside called Mount Arafat and a plain called the Plain of Arafat.

In 2018 Arafat Day falls on a Tuesday.

The date is subject to moon-sighting and could change.

August 22 – Eid Al Adha

Eid Al Adha translates to the “festival of sacrifice”. The holiday honours Ibrahim and his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail for Allah. Ismail is happy to oblige before Allah sends his angel, Jibra’il, to inform Ibrahim that he has already accepted the sacrifice from his heart.

Goats are sacrificed and divided into three parts: one part for the family, one part for relatives, and one part for the poor. The holiday begins on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijja – the last month of the Hijri calendar.

In 2018, Eid Al Adha is expected to begin on Wednesday, August 22. A two day holiday for Eid Al Adha, including a one-day holiday for Arafat Day on Tuesday, ensures a (very) long weekend in August.

September 11 – Al Hijri – Islamic New Year

Al Hijri is the Islamic New Year. Expected to fall on Tuesday, September 11 in 2018.

The date is subject to moon-sighting and could change.

November 20 – Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) Birthday

The birthday of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is celebrated on the 12th day of Rabi Al Awwal. In Arabic, the holiday is referred to as Eid Al Mawlid an Nabawi.

In 2018, November 20 falls on a Tuesday.

The date is subject to moon-sighting and could change.

November 30 – Commemoration Day

Commemoration Day (also referred to as Martyr’s Day) is a public holiday on November 30. The day was declared by His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, in 2015 to honour Emiratis who have died for their country.

The remembrance will fall on a Friday in 2018.

December 2 – UAE National Day

The UAE’s National Day is fixed on December 2 each year. Although the UAE – or the Trucial States as it was known until 1971 – was never part of the British Empire, it was a British Protectorate. The protectorate treaty was withdrawn on December 1 1971, paving the way for the federal unification of the Trucial States.

Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah made up the original UAE, with Ras Al Khaimah joining in a year later in 1972. 2018 will be the UAE’s 47th birthday.

One or two days are granted as public holidays, and as December 2 is a Sunday, we could enjoy a long weekend.