The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced that July 7, 2024, will be a paid holiday for all private sector employees in the UAE.

This announcement marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year, 1446 AH, starting on the 1st of Muharram, which coincides with July 7 on the Gregorian calendar. 

MoHRE posted on Twitter:

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced that Sunday, 7th of July (1st Muharram), will be an official paid public holiday for all private sector establishments in the UAE in celebration of the new Hijri year 1446 AH.#MoHRE #UAE

— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) July 2, 2024

This holiday allows employees to celebrate the Islamic New Year and reflect on its significance. With the holiday falling on a Sunday, federal and private sector workers will enjoy a long weekend, as many have a four-and-a-half-day work week. Although this paid public holiday is yet to be confirmed for federal workers. 

Following MoHRE’s announcement, the Omani government has also declared July 7, i.e., 1st Muharram, a holiday for both public and private sector employees, offering another long weekend for many workers in the region.

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In addition to the Islamic New Year, workers in the UAE can look forward to a few more paid public holidays, including Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)'s birthday on Sunday, September 15, Commemoration Day on December 1, and National Day on December 2 and 3, 2024, making it the longest weekend of the year. According to the UAE’s 2024 public holidays schedule, these public holidays are in addition to the annual leave days that employees are entitled to each year.