The UAE has announced Monday, June 15, 2026, as a paid public holiday for all private sector employees to mark the Islamic New Year, giving workers across the country a three-day extended weekend.
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, following a similar notification from the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources for federal government employees.
In its official circular, the ministry stated, “The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announces that Monday, 15 June 2026, will be a paid public holiday for all private sector employees across the UAE on the occasion of the Hijri New Year. Official working hours will resume on Tuesday, 16 June 2026.”
The ministry also extended its wishes to employees and residents across the country.
The holiday was jointly confirmed by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) and MoHRE, which announced that Monday, June 15, 2026, will be an official paid holiday for employees in federal government entities and private sector establishments across the UAE on the occasion of the Hijri New Year 1448 AH. The move ensures a unified holiday schedule for both sectors, allowing workers nationwide to observe the beginning of the new Islamic year.
As the holiday falls immediately after the regular weekend on Saturday and Sunday, employees in both the public and private sectors will enjoy a three-day break before returning to work on Tuesday, June 16.
The announcement continues the UAE’s policy of aligning public and private sector holidays, ensuring workers across industries receive the same official holiday entitlement.
The Islamic New Year, also known as the Hijri New Year, marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar and the start of the year 1448 AH.
The occasion commemorates the Hijra, the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Mecca to Medina, which is regarded as a defining event in Islamic history and serves as the reference point for the Islamic calendar.
Observed across much of the Muslim world, the Hijri New Year is generally marked by religious reflection and prayer rather than large-scale celebrations. In the UAE, it remains one of the country's officially recognized public holidays, providing employees with a paid day off to observe the occasion.