On the occasion of the Prophet Mohammed's birthday, which is today, the second of more than a dozen public holidays expected in the UAE this year slipped by yesterday amid rain and gloomy skies. And yet, workers now returning to their desks after a weekend of relaxation, should really settle in for the long haul, because the next long weekend won't arrive until the end of May, for Israa and Miraj.
Public sector staff in the UAE, as The National reported yesterday, had 15 days of public holidays last year, more than many of their counterparts in Europe and North America. Private sector workers had eight, in line with Europe, but not enough, according to many the newspaper spoke to. And yet despite this bounty, the early part of the year is neglected: there are only two public holidays (both of which have now passed) before the end of May, while the last six months of the year provide the bulk of time off.
That's the bad news. The good news is that the weather will improve markedly between now and May. The sea will soon be warm enough to swim in enjoyably again, and the grey skies will be replaced by sunshine. You'll just have to enjoy those sunny weekdays indoors.