The Friday noon prayers had just concluded at Al Farooq Mosque in Dubai when word began circulating quietly among worshippers: the UAE government had declared Friday, June 27, 2025, as a public holiday to mark the beginning of the Islamic New Year, 1447 AH. For families gathered in the mosque’s courtyard, the announcement signaled not just a spiritual milestone, but also a timely long weekend at the peak of summer.
In the UAE’s calendar, Islamic dates are often fluid, dependent on the moon’s cycles. But this declaration, made more than ten days in advance, gave residents clarity — a day off that unites reflection and rest, across both federal ministries and private firms.
This year, 1 Muharram — the first day of the Hijri calendar — is expected to fall on June 27, corresponding with the predicted lunar sighting. The holiday provides a moment of reverence and calm in a fast-moving society where the sacred still intersects with the everyday.
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) issued an official circular stating that all ministries and federal departments would observe a full-day holiday on June 27. As a result, government workers will enjoy a three-day weekend, resuming work on Monday, June 30.
Simultaneously, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) confirmed that the private sector would also observe the same holiday, ensuring uniformity across both sectors, according to Khaleej Times.
The move reflects the UAE’s broader policy to streamline religious and national holidays. In recent years, public and private sector calendars have been increasingly synchronized to minimize confusion and maximize productivity and social cohesion, according to MSN News.
According to the lunar Islamic calendar, the new year begins with Muharram, one of the four sacred months in Islam. Unlike the Gregorian New Year, the Hijri New Year is a solemn occasion — marked by sermons, personal reflection, and community prayers, especially in Shiite and Sufi traditions.
Local imams are expected to deliver special sermons on Thursday evening, June 26, focusing on the historical Hijrah — the migration of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Mecca to Medina — which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar in 622 CE.
Surge in domestic travel and hotel bookings
“Travel agencies and hospitality groups across the UAE told The National and Arabian Business that holiday-driven travel surges are common—previous public holidays have spurred occupancy increases of 50–60% during peak periods, according to Arabian Business.
While official data for the three-day weekend of June 27 is not yet available, booking platforms indicate early traction, with many properties in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Hatta promoting weekend getaway deals.”
The surge in bookings mirrors a larger national trend: short, domestic getaways are increasingly popular in the UAE’s holiday calendar — especially when holidays fall on or adjacent to weekends.
Importance of coordinated announcements
The UAE’s model of pre-planned, synchronized holiday declarations is widely praised by both the public and business sectors. In contrast to previous years when last-minute lunar confirmations caused planning difficulties, this year’s approach reflects growing reliance on astronomical calculations alongside traditional moon sightings.
This approach has been supported by entities such as the UAE Astronomy Centre, which predicted the appearance of the Muharram crescent on the evening of June 26, making June 27 the official start of 1447 AH.
Upcoming Islamic holidays on the UAE calendar
With June 27 now confirmed as a national holiday, residents can expect the next major religious observance to be Mawlid al-Nabi, or the Prophet’s birthday, expected to fall on or around September 4, 2025, depending on moon sighting.
The year will conclude with the highly anticipated Commemoration Day and UAE National Day celebrations on December 2 and 3, respectively — likely resulting in another extended public holiday weekend.
In a country that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, the announcement of the Islamic New Year holiday stands as a reminder of the UAE’s cultural roots. Even as skyscrapers rise and trade corridors expand, the nation pauses for a day to remember its Prophet’s journey, honor the Hijrah, and offer its people a brief, sacred stillness.
For many residents, that Friday morning will begin with prayer — and perhaps end with a drive into the desert, a swim in the Gulf, or simply quiet time with family. It’s a national pause — not for revelry, but for renewal.
