The UAE government has declared a holiday for federal employees on Friday, July 21, in celebration of the Islamic New Year. The date was determined based on the Hijri calendar, which follows lunar sightings and may differ from the Gregorian calendar.
According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, president of the Emirates Astronomy Society (ESA), the new Hijri year, Muharram 1, is expected to begin on Wednesday, July 19. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) has issued a circular to inform all ministries and federal departments about the 1445 Hijri holiday. This decision aligns with the Cabinet’s Resolution on the official holiday schedule for the government and private sectors in the UAE for 2023.
Moreover, it is worth noting that the Islamic calendar relies on moon sightings and astronomical calculations, which work together to determine significant Islamic events. Therefore, the mentioned dates are subject to change based on the sighting of the crescent moon.
