Holiday Guide for United Arab Emirates in 2016

United Arab Emirates information

List of National Holidays in United Arab Emirates in 2016

	Friday January 1st  Long Weekend!  New Year's Day United Arab Emirates: New Year's Day is a public holiday in all countries that observe the Gregorian calendar, with the exception of Israel
	Thursday May 5th Israa & Miaraj Night United Arab Emirates: Isra and Mi'raj marks the Night Journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and the ascent into heaven
	Wednesday July 6th Eid Al Fitr United Arab Emirates: The festival of Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Fast breaking, marks the end of Ramadan
	Thursday July 7th Eid Al Fitr Holiday United Arab Emirates: Second day of the festival that marks the end of the fasting period of the Islamic month of Ramadan
	Sunday September 11th Day of Arafah United Arab Emirates: Second day of the Hajj pilgrimage and the day before Eid al Adha. Named after the geographical area Arafa where the Prophet gave his Farewell Sermon.
	Monday September 12th  Long Weekend!  Eid Al Adha United Arab Emirates: Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice is the most important feast in the Muslim calendar. It celebrates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael in submission to Allah's command, before he was stopped by Allah.
	Tuesday September 13th Eid Al Adha Holiday United Arab Emirates: Second day of holidays for the Feast of the the Sacrifice
	Sunday October 2nd Hijri New Year's Day United Arab Emirates: Marks Islamic New Year and the Prophet's journey from Mecca to Medina in 622AD.
	Thursday December 1st Martyrs' Day United Arab Emirates: Celebrates the honour and loyalty of UAE martyrs, in recognition of the sacrifices they made for their country
	Friday December 2nd  Long Weekend!  National Day United Arab Emirates: Commemorates formal nationalisation from the British Protectorate Treaties on 2 December 1971
	Sunday December 11th Prophet Muhammad’s birthday United Arab Emirates: Celebrated by Muslims on the twelfth day of the month of Rabiulawal, the third month of the Muslim calendar

Notes

• A public holiday can be moved to the beginning or to the end of a week if it falls between two working days
• Since 2022, the weekend is Saturday and Sunday
• Islamic holiday exact dates are subject to moon sightings and may differ from the date given
• Public sector workers now receive the same number of public holidays as the private sector