President Sheikh Khalifa has sent out messages of congratulations across the Arab world to mark the start of Hijri New Year on Thursday. Sheikh Khalifa shared his best wishes to kings, presidents and emirs throughout the region in honour of the Islamic holiday. 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 bin Rashid congratulated the people of the UAE and Islamic world on a new Hijri year. "A year that renews great meanings in us, noble values and principles," he said on Twitter. He also offered a prayer for the secutiry and safety of the UAE and all Islamic nations Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed delivered a hopeful message for the year ahead. "On the occasion of the Islamic New Year, we congratulate the people of the UAE and the Islamic world," he said. "We pray that this will be a year of peace and prosperity for all. The Hijra is an inspiring chapter in our history, with valuable lessons for humanity." The holiday marks the beginning of the new Islamic year 1442. It commemorates the day on which the Prophet Mohammed migrated from Makkah to Madinah. Muslims do not mark the event with celebrations. However, workers across the UAE will have a long weekend on Sunday, August 23, with work resuming on Monday, August 24. Public and private sector employees in the country now have the same number of holidays after a UAE Cabinet decision last year. This decision removed the disparity in public holidays since earlier people employed in the private sector enjoyed fewer days off than employees of government companies. Motorists in Abu Dhabi will enjoy free public parking over the holiday. Abu Dhabi's Integrated Transport Centre said surface public parking bays will be free from Sunday, August 23 until 7:59am on Monday, August 24. Public bus services will run to a Friday schedule, while ferry schedules between Jebel Dhanna port and Dalma Island and from Saadiyat to Al Aliah Island will operate as normal.
