Islamic New Year Holiday Announced In Oman | ExpatWoman.com
 

Islamic New Year Holiday Announced In Oman

Omani residents might enjoy a public holiday to celebrate the Islamic New Year

Posted on

18 September 2017

Last updated on 18 September 2017
Islamic New Year Holiday Announced In Oman

Excitement is in the air as Omani residents start preparing for the Islamic New Year. Residents are especially excited as the Omani government announced a holiday for both the public and private sector.

The Times of Oman reported that the Omani government announced last night that Sunday, September 24th will be a holiday if the first day of Muharram falls on Friday, September 22nd.  

SEE ALSO: Oman Annual Events

Muharram will mark the start of 1439 in the Islamic calendar. Muharram is the first month in the Islamic calendar which is a lunar calendar.

The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon’s phases. Months are usually 29 or 30 days in the lunar calendar and a year consists of 354 or 355 days in contrast to the Gregorian calendar’s 365 or 366 days. Because the Islamic calendar is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic New Year doesn’t fall on a recurring date each year.