Here’s a guide on what Hijri New Year is, how it is calculated, and if the leave is transferable or not
After Eid Al Adha gave UAE residents a much-awaited long break, the community is on the look out for the next holiday. For those preparing to travel, planning staycations, or just looking for a time to unwind, the country lists out holidays in advance.
This helps residents plan ahead, make the most of the breaks, and often serves as something to look forward to. So when is the next leave? It is expected to fall in mid-June, on the occasion of Islamic New Year.
Here’s a guide on what Hijri New Year is, how it is calculated, and if the leave is transferable or not:
What is Islamic New Year?
Islamic New Year, also called Hijri News Year, marks the beginning of a new Islamic year, which follows the lunar calendar, and is subject to official moon sightings. It falls on the start of the month of Muharram, which is the first month of the Hijri calendar.
When is Islamic New Year 2026 in the UAE?
Islamic months are subject to moon sightings, which happens on 29th of every Hijri month. On 29 Dhul Hijjah, which is June 15, if the moon is sighted, then the new month of Muharram will start the following day June 16, Tuesday.
If the moon is not sighted on June 15, then Dhul Hijjah will complete 30 days, and June 17, Wednesday, will be Muharram 1.
Is it a transferable holiday?
According to a Cabinet Resolution that came into effect in 2025, public holidays, except for Eid, can be transferred to the end or the beginning of the week.
As such, the UAE’s Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation have announced that Monday, June 15, 2026, will be an official holiday for federal government entities and private sector companies, even if Hijri New Year falls on June 16, Tuesday, or June 17, Wednesday.
This means that UAE residents get a 3- or 4-day break, depending on the sector and emirate, when combined with the weekend. Sharjah government employees and Sharjah schools will get a 4-day break, since the emirate follows a 3-day weekend.
What are the remaining public holidays?
After Islamic New Year, UAE residents still have two public holidays left: Prophet’s Birthday and UAE National Day.
ProphProphet’shday
This holiday falls on Rabi Al Awwal 12.
Holiday date: Dependent on moon sighting. The likely date is August 25.
Subject to an official Cabinet decision, the leave is transferable, potentially giving residents another long weekend.
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)
The UAE will celebrate its 55th National Day in 2026 with a two-day break. On December 2 and 3, Wednesday and Thursday, residents across the country will get the last leave of 2026.
This means Sharjah government employees and schools in Sharjah will get a 5-day break, if the holiday is not transferred.
If officially transferred, the last public holiday of the year could become a 4-day break for all the emirates.
Has UAE ever transferred holidays before?
In 2025, UAE transferred its Eid Al Etihad holidays. While December 2 and 3 (Tuesday and Wednesday) were the official holiday dates, the mid-week pause was shifted to December 1 and 2 (Monday and Tuesday).
This gave residents a 4-day break, with Sharjah residents getting as much as five days off.
Can it be combined with annual leave?
Employers can determine leave dates of employees based on the company’s operational requirements, or mutually in agreement with an employee, according to UAE law.
An employer should have its own internal employee’s handbook or HR policy related to rules and regulations of employment if it employs more than 50 employees. If the policy mentions that annual leaves and public holidays can be combined, then the employee is entitled to it.
However, if the employer says public holidays and annual leave can not be taken together in accordance with internal policies, the employee will be unable to do so.
What happens if your employer asks you to work on this public holiday?
If you are required to work on holidays, such as essential workers, or those who work on a shift basis, the UAE law states that the employer should grant the employee compensatory leave for working on a public holiday.
The employer may instead opt to pay a full day’s salary, and additionally pay 50 per cent of the basic salary for making the employee work on a public holiday.
