Holiday Announced for Islamic New Year in UAE
- The Hijri New Year holiday for the year 1439 will be observed on the first day of the month of Muharram, for both public and private sector
- UAE’s moon-sighting committee will determine when Muharram begins according to the Gregorian calendar
- The first day of the Islamic New Year will either be on 21st September or 22nd September
- Hotels and restaurants will refrain from serving alcohol on 21st-22nd September
- The Islamic New Year marked the arrival of the Prophet Mohammed in Medina after he emigrated from Mecca
- Known as the Hijra, the migration from Mecca to Medina marked the beginning of the Islamic era, or 1AH, in 622AD
- The Islamic year consists of 12 lunar months and is 10-12 days shorter than the Gregorian year
- The Hijri New Year does not usually involve public celebrations or traditional events and is considered to be a day dedicated to faith
- Most Islamic institutions and countries follow astronomical calculations to determine future dates of the Islamic calendar
