Some UAE Schools Will Close This Sunday for Diwali

Heads up, parents - your child's school could be closed on Sunday.

Multiple UAE schools have declared Sunday, October 27 off for students to mark the occasion of the Indian festival of lights, Diwali.

This government-approved holiday will see several Indian, as well as international schools, give the day off, resulting in a long-weekend for pupils.

To notify parents of the holiday, participating schools sent a text SMS message, such as the one shared by the American International School in Dubai, reports Gulf News.

The text read: "As per the previously sent out October calendar and the KHDA approved yearly calendar, there is no school on Sunday, 27 October 2019 as it is a preapproved KHDA 'other' holiday."

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Delhi Private School in Sharjah also notified parents of the same, and there will be several schools also closed for the holiday on Sunday in the northern emirate.

Why is Diwali considered an approved holiday by the KHDA?

In line with the UAE's Year of Tolerance and overall efforts to create a united, multi-cultural country, schools are able to request certain holidays to be approved and part of their academic calendar.

These requests are submitted to the KHDA and subsequently approved/rejected at the beginning of a school's academic year.

What is Diwali?

Diwali is the Indian festival of lights - a beautiful celebration filled with, colours, lights, and positive atmospheres.

Each year, observers of the holiday join in unison to celebrate the festival, which is a celebration dedicated to people coming together to celebrate a good cause - or good conquering evil. Indians around the world engage in the light festival and send prayers to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and Ganesh, the god of wisdom and luck.

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The festival can last up to five days each year and is primarily observed by participants lighting their houses and gardens up with lights.

Diwali also coincides with another Hindu celebration - the Hindu New Year - which marks the start of a successful business year.