Workers in the UAE will likely get another holiday on September 1 (Sunday), as the date is most likely to be Muharram 1 or the first day of the Hijiri New Year, as per Ibrahim Al Jarwan, a member of the Arab Union for Space and Astronomy Sciences (AUAS).
In the past, the first day of the Islamic New Year (Hijiri) has been an official holiday for the previous years. However, authorities will confirm the date following the actual sighting of the moon.
Hijiri New Year 2019 in UAE: What You Need to Know
In the UAE, Muharram marks the beginning of the 1441 Hijri New Year since the month Zul Hijjah is the last month of the Islamic New Year, as shared in a report by Gulf News.
According to Islamic traditions, thousands of years ago, the Prophet Mohammad and his companions migrated, leaving everything behind — their homes, their property, and their loved ones, choosing a life free of worldly gains and comforts for the perseverance of their religion, which was at the time in danger in Makkah. The prophet himself was escaping his death from the Quraish elderlies.
The Hijiri Calendar
This calendar is based on the lunar year, in which months are counted in 29 or 30 days, depending on when the waxing crescent moon is sighted after the new moon.
In effect, the Hijri year is shorter than the Gregorian solar year, arriving around 11 days “earlier” after each full cycle.
The months on the Hijiri calendar are as follows (in chronological order):
- Muharram
- Safar
- Rabi Al Awwal
- Rabi Al Thani
- Jumada Al Ula
- Jumada Al Akhira
- Rajab
- Sha’aban
- Ramadan
- Shawwal
- Dhu Al Qa’da
- Dhu Al Hijja
As per the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, the Government of Dubai, Muharram 1 is a one-day holiday to be observed by the public in the country.
Should the projections be made official, workers in the UAE will get to enjoy a long weekend since the holiday will fall on a Sunday, right after the weekend (Friday and Saturday) observed in the country. Following the Eid, this period would present another opportunity for residents to take a quick break from work and make plans ahead of time, especially as the winter season approaches in the UAE.
Note: As the official holidays in the country are based on moon sightings, please wait for the official announcement by the government as the date approaches.
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