UAE President extends Hijri New Year greetings, calls for global peace and prosperity

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan extended warm wishes to the people of the UAE and Muslims worldwide on the Hijri New Year.

In a message shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, he said:

"Congratulations to the people of the UAE and Muslims everywhere on the occasion of Hijri New Year. I pray that the year ahead brings lasting peace and stability to the region and the world, and advances progress and prosperity for all."

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.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation 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.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Islamic calendar is set to align key observances with the cooler winter and spring months. Ramadan, the sacred month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, is expected to begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, although this too will depend on the sighting of the crescent moon.

Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is likely to fall on Friday, March 20, 2026, providing what could be a three-day weekend for UAE residents. Meanwhile, Eid Al Adha, the most significant of the Islamic festivals, is expected around Tuesday, May 26, 2026, based on the anticipated sighting of the Dhul Hijjah moon on May 17.

The dates listed below are provisional, with the UAE government announcing official confirmation closer to each occasion:

Islamic New Year – Friday, June 27 (one day holiday)
A one-day holiday will be given on the first day of Muharram to mark the Islamic New Year.

For holidays linked to Islamic Hijri dates, the UAE moon-sighting committee will convene to observe the crescent moon marking the start of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.

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.