{"id":43661,"date":"2026-06-08T12:01:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T12:01:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/?p=43661"},"modified":"2026-06-08T12:11:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T12:11:23","slug":"islamic-new-year-brings-extended-holiday-as-dubai-government-announces-three-day-break","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/08\/islamic-new-year-brings-extended-holiday-as-dubai-government-announces-three-day-break\/","title":{"rendered":"Islamic New Year brings extended holiday as Dubai Government announces three-day break."},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Dubai government employees will receive a paid public holiday on Monday, June 15, 2026, in observance of the Islamic New Year, marking the beginning of Hijri year 1448 AH. The announcement was made by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR), which confirmed that the holiday will apply across government entities, departments, and public-sector institutions in the emirate.<\/p>

The occasion commemorates the start of a new year in the Islamic calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar because it is based on lunar cycles rather than the solar year. The Islamic calendar begins with the month of Muharram, one of the most significant months in Islam, and the first day of Muharram marks the beginning of a new Hijri year for Muslims around the world.<\/p>

Under the holiday schedule announced by authorities, government offices will remain closed on Monday, allowing public-sector employees to observe the occasion. Normal working hours are expected to resume on Tuesday, June 16, when government services will return to their regular schedules.<\/p>

Because the holiday falls immediately after the weekend, many government employees will benefit from an extended break. Staff members who typically observe a Saturday-Sunday weekend will enjoy three consecutive days off, creating a long weekend that can be used for family gatherings, travel, rest, or religious observance.<\/p>

The Islamic New Year is regarded as an important occasion in the Muslim world. While celebrations vary from one country to another, the day is often viewed as a time for reflection, prayer, and consideration of the values associated with the Islamic faith. Many people use the occasion to look back on the previous year and set personal goals for the months ahead.<\/p>

The Hijri calendar itself holds deep historical significance. It begins from the year of the Prophet Muhammad\u2019s migration, or Hijrah, from Makkah to Madinah, an event that marked a turning point in Islamic history. As a result, the Islamic New Year serves as a reminder of this important chapter and its enduring influence on Muslim communities.<\/p>

Dubai authorities noted that while the public holiday applies broadly across government institutions, certain organisations may operate under different arrangements due to the nature of their services. Facilities that provide essential public services or operate around the clock are expected to continue functioning to ensure that residents and visitors experience no disruption.<\/p>

Departments that rely on shift-based staffing may therefore implement alternative schedules during the holiday period. These arrangements are intended to maintain continuity in critical sectors such as healthcare, emergency response, transportation, security, and other services that require uninterrupted operations.<\/p>

Government entities responsible for essential infrastructure and public welfare are expected to coordinate staffing requirements in advance to ensure adequate coverage throughout the holiday. Employees working in these sectors may be assigned alternative shifts or compensatory arrangements in accordance with internal policies and operational needs.<\/p>

The announcement forms part of the UAE\u2019s annual public holiday calendar, which includes religious and national occasions observed throughout the year. Public holidays provide opportunities for residents to spend time with family, participate in community activities, and mark significant cultural and religious events.<\/p>

For many government employees, the June holiday will offer a welcome pause in the middle of the year. With the long weekend creating additional leisure time, some residents may choose to travel domestically, enjoy local attractions, or simply take advantage of the break to relax before returning to work.<\/p>

As the emirate prepares to mark the beginning of Hijri 1448 AH, the holiday serves both as a religious observance and as an opportunity for reflection, community connection, and renewal. Government employees across Dubai will be able to commemorate the occasion while benefiting from an extended weekend before official duties resume on Tuesday.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Alongside announcing the Islamic New Year holiday, the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) conveyed its congratulations and best wishes to the UAE\u2019s leadership, citizens, and residents. The department also extended greetings to Arab and Islamic communities around the world, expressing hopes for continued success, growth, and stability for the nation in the year ahead.<\/p>

In its message, DGHR highlighted the significance of the occasion as an opportunity to reflect on shared values and achievements while looking forward to continued development and prosperity. The department wished for ongoing progress across all sectors and reaffirmed hopes for the UAE\u2019s future as it enters another year in the Islamic calendar.<\/p>

The announcement aligns with similar decisions made at the federal level. Both the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) have confirmed that Monday, June 15, 2026, will be observed as an official public holiday in recognition of the Islamic New Year. The decision ensures that government employees across the country, as well as many workers in the private sector, will have the opportunity to mark the occasion.<\/p>

The coordinated announcements provide clarity for employers, employees, educational institutions, and public services, allowing them to make the necessary arrangements ahead of the holiday. As with other public holidays observed in the UAE, the occasion is expected to give residents additional time to spend with family, participate in religious observances, or simply enjoy a period of rest.<\/p>

For many workers in Dubai and other emirates that follow a traditional Monday-to-Friday work schedule, the public holiday creates a long weekend. Employees who already have Saturdays and Sundays off will benefit from an additional day of leave on Monday, resulting in three consecutive days away from work before normal operations resume.<\/p>

The holiday arrangements are particularly beneficial for residents in Sharjah, where government departments and public schools operate under a four-day workweek system. In Sharjah, the standard weekend includes Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, meaning that the addition of a public holiday on Monday extends the break to four consecutive days.<\/p>

As a result, government employees and students in the emirate will enjoy an extended holiday period spanning from Friday through Monday. The longer break is expected to provide additional opportunities for families to spend time together, travel, or participate in community and religious activities associated with the Islamic New Year.<\/p>

Sharjah\u2019s four-day workweek model, which was introduced to enhance work-life balance and improve employee well-being, often results in longer holiday periods when public holidays fall adjacent to the weekend. In this case, the timing of the Islamic New Year holiday creates one of the longest breaks available outside major national and religious celebrations.<\/p>

The Islamic New Year, also known as the Hijri New Year, marks the beginning of a new year according to the Islamic lunar calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the Earth\u2019s orbit around the sun, the Hijri calendar follows the phases of the moon. Because lunar months are shorter than solar months, Islamic dates shift each year in relation to the Gregorian calendar.<\/p>

The first day of the Islamic New Year falls on the opening day of Muharram, the first month of the Hijri calendar. Muharram is regarded as one of the most significant and sacred months in Islam and holds special religious importance for Muslims around the world.<\/p>

The Hijri calendar itself traces its origins to the migration, or Hijrah, of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madinah. This historic event marked a defining moment in Islamic history and became the reference point from which the Islamic calendar begins. As a result, the arrival of a new Hijri year serves as both a religious milestone and a reminder of an important chapter in the development of the Muslim community.<\/p>

While the Islamic New Year is not typically associated with large-scale celebrations in the same way as some other religious occasions, it remains an important date for reflection, prayer, and spiritual renewal. Many Muslims use the occasion to consider personal goals, strengthen their faith, and reflect on the lessons and values associated with the Hijrah.<\/p>

Across the UAE, the holiday is observed as a public occasion that recognises the cultural and religious significance of the Islamic calendar. Government institutions, businesses, and educational establishments adjust their schedules accordingly, allowing employees and students to mark the beginning of the new year.<\/p>

As the country prepares to welcome Hijri 1448 AH, authorities have used the occasion to convey messages of optimism and unity. The announcements from Dubai and federal entities reflect a broader spirit of goodwill, with wishes for continued peace, prosperity, and advancement for the UAE and its people.<\/p>

The holiday not only provides a valuable opportunity for rest and family time but also serves as a reminder of the historical and spiritual foundations of the Islamic calendar. For residents across the UAE, the start of the new Hijri year offers a moment to pause, reflect, and look ahead to the months to come with renewed purpose and hope.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dubai Government has confirmed an extended three-day weekend for the Islamic New Year, giving employees a longer break to mark the occasion and enjoy additional time off.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43662,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"post_template":[],"top_category":[],"class_list":["post-43661","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uae","pmpro-has-access"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43661","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43661"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43661\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43669,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43661\/revisions\/43669"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43661"},{"taxonomy":"post_template","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_template?post=43661"},{"taxonomy":"top_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/top_category?post=43661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}