UAE announces New Year public holiday for government employees

The advisory comes in line with the country's official list of holidays released earlier this year

Published: Fri 20 Dec 2024, 12:28 PM

Updated: Fri 20 Dec 2024, 1:34 PM

By
Web Desk

January 1, 2025, Wednesday, will be a public holiday for government employees in the UAE, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources announced on Friday.

This will be the first public holiday in the country during the upcoming year.

The advisory comes in line with the country's official list of holidays released earlier this year.

Residents will enjoy up to 13 days off as public holidays in 2025. According to a resolution the UAE Cabinet has issued, the holiday to mark Islamic festival Eid Al Fitr will be slightly different next year.

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Shorter Eid Al Fitr break

This marks the most notable change in public holidays as compared to recent years. Islamic holiday Eid Al Fitr that falls after the month of Ramadan will see residents get up to four days off. The holiday is slightly different this year. The resolution specifies the first three days of Shawwal — the month that follows Ramadan — as holidays.

If Ramadan lasts 30 days, the 30th of the Islamic month will be a holiday as well, giving residents four days off (Ramadan 30 to Shawwal 3). If the holy month lasts 29 days, the holiday is only the first three days of Eid (Shawwal 1 to 3).

In 2024, the Eid Al Fitr holiday was from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3. Including the weekends, this translated into a nine-day break for residents this year.

Another 4 days off

Considered the holiest day in Islam, Arafah Day will be a holiday. This will be on Dhul Hijjah 9. This will be followed by a three-day break for Islamic festival Eid Al Adha (Dhul Hijjah 10-12). This translates into four off days.

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