UAE private sector holiday announced for Hijri New Year

UAE ministry confirms private sector employees will join government workers in enjoying public holiday

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is both a significant place of worship, and somewhere for visitors to learn about Islam. Getty Images

On day two of the UAE papal visit in February 2019, His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, took a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Ministry of Presidential Affairs

The message of tolerance is shared at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque as the UAE marks the Year of Tolerance. Wam describes the mosque as "a lighthouse of civilization calling for tolerance and moderation". Wam

People walk through Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at night in January 2019. AFP

Two Etihad and Emirates planes, followed by the Al Fursan aerobatic team, perform a display show over the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to celebrate the UAE's 47th National Day and the Year of Zayed, in 2018. AP

The sun rising over the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's qubba, or domes, during Ramadan 2019. Victor Besa / The National

A look at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at sunrise during Ramadan 2019. Victor Besa / The National

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's entrance in the morning. Reem Mohammed / The National

A view of the mosque in a white sandy haze. Victor Besa / The National

The full grandeur of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Reuters

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is often lit, or dimmed, for world events, such as Earth Hour, as pictured. Wam

A father and his son greet each other after performing morning prayers on the first day of Eid-Al Fitr at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in 2019. Leslie Pableo / The National

A look at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the morning. Victor Besa / The National

Inside the mosque. Victor Besa / The National

People visiting the mosque during Ramadan. Victor Besa / The National

During Ramadan, people gather to break their fast outside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Pawan Singh / The National

A glimpse inside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. AFP

Private sector workers across the UAE will have a long weekend next week to mark the Islamic, or Hijri New Year on Sunday, August 23.

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced all employees would get a public holiday on the day that marks the beginning of the new Islamic year 1442.

Work will resume on Monday, August 24.

Earlier on Thursday, the Federal Authority for the Government had announced Sunday as the Hijri New Year holiday for federal staff.

The holiday commemorates the day on which the Prophet Mohammed migrated from Makkah to Madinah.

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.

There will be no public events to celebrate the Islamic New Year, also known as the Al Hijri New Year with hotels and bars asked not to serve alcohol or host live entertainment. Muslims do not mark the Islamic event with celebrations.