![We Tried [u]bk's Lively Garden Brunch at Mövenpick JLT Dubai](https://cdnexpatwomanfood.expatwoman.com/s3fs-public/urban%20bar%20and%20kitchen%20brunch%20main.png "We Tried [u]bk's Lively Garden Brunch at Mövenpick JLT Dubai")
Public and private sector workers will enjoy a day off this week for Islamic New Year
18 September 2017
| Last updated on 18 September 2017
The UAE Government have confirmed that yes, there will be a public holiday for Al Hijra - Islamic New Year - this week, but the official date is still yet to be confirmed.
Depending on the moon sighting, it could fall on either Thursday 21st September or Friday 22nd September.
While it has been announced that the Islamic New Year will bring with it a paid public holiday for both the private and public sectors, it's unlikely we will have confirmation until Wednesday once the moon sighting committee has confirmed the start of the Islamic New Year.
About Al Hijra, the Islamic New Year
The Islamic calendar differs to the Gregorian calendar currently used in Western countries - it is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year, and follows moon sightings. Thus, dates may differ from year to year in comparison to the Gregorian calendar.
Islamic New Year is officially called Al Hijra, and it is the first day of Muharram - which is the first month in the lunar Islamic calendar.
