Hijri New Year 2025: UAE announces Islamic New Year holiday for private sector

Dubai: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation on Monday announced that Friday, June 27, 2025, will be an official paid holiday for private sector companies in the UAE on the occasion of the new Hijri year 1447 AH.

This follows an earlier announcement by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirming the same holiday for the public sector.

The Islamic New Year, also known as Hijri New Year, commemorates the migration (Hijrah) of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, an event that marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar. Though the occasion is not typically celebrated with the same scale as Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha, it remains an important date in the Islamic world and is recognized as a public holiday in the UAE.

In addition to the Islamic New Year, the next religious holiday on the horizon will be Mawlid Al Nabawi, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, expected to be observed on Thursday, September 4, 2025. As with all Islamic holidays, the exact date will depend on the official moon-sighting and confirmation by relevant religious authorities in the UAE.

Prophet Muhammad’s [PBUH] Birthday - Friday, 5 September (one day holiday)
The Prophet’s birthday falls on the 12th day of Rabi Al Awwal. The exact date will be confirmed following the announcement by the moon-sighting committee.

UAE National Day - Tuesday and Wednesday, 2-3 December (two-day holiday)
The year will end with a mid-week holiday to celebrate UAE National Day on 2 and 3 December.

As per Article No. 2 of the Cabinet resolution, official holidays except for Eid holidays, may be moved to the beginning or end of the week by Cabinet decision.

Article No. 3 states that if a public holiday falls on a weekend or coincides with another public holiday, it will not be carried forward.

In addition, Article No. 4 allows local governments to approve other official holidays not listed in the resolution for their departments or institutions on special occasions or for other reasons.