Sheikh Khalifa sends messages of congratulations to Arab leaders for Hijri New Year

The UAE President wished good health and happiness to Arab and Islamic nations on Monday

Festive lights are displayed along Abu Dhabi's Corniche to celebrate Al Hijri New Year, also known as the Islamic New Year, the first month in the Muslim calendar.

Abu Dhabi residents and visitors to the corniche can enjoy the colourful display.

This month, Muslims will celebrate the 1443rd Islamic Hijri New Year.

Festive lights shine bright on Abu Dhabi's Al Maqta Bridge.

The corniche is ablaze with colour to mark the start of the first month in the Muslim calendar.

Festive lights on Al Maqta Bridge, Abu Dhabi, light up the night sky.

The UAE's capital shines a light on the Islamic New Year with dazzling decorations along the corniche.

To celebrate the Islamic New Year, the UAE declared August 12 a public holiday.

The President Sheikh Khalifa has marked the advent of the Hijri year 1443 with congratulatory messages to the kings, presidents and emirs of the Arab and Islamic world.

Sheikh Khalifa wished them good health and happiness, further progress and prosperity for their people and dignity and glory for their nations.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, also delivered greetings for the occasion.

Sheikh Mohammed congratulated the people of the UAE and the Islamic world on a new Hijri year, and emphasised the importance of immigration "as a symbol of transformation".

"1443 years after the migration of our beloved Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace," he wrote in a tweet.

Sheikh Mohamed delivered a hopeful message for the year ahead.

"Congratulations to the UAE people and Muslims around the world on the occasion of Hijri New Year. May God bless all of us this year with peace, prosperity and good health," he said.

The Islamic New Year began with the migration of the Prophet Mohammed from Makkah to Madinah.

Muslims do not mark the event with celebrations.

But workers across the UAE will have a long weekend, with Thursday 12 a public holiday for all private and public sector employees.