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Discover the complete list of UAE public holiday dates in 2019 for Ramadan, Eid, Islamic New Year and more
18 June 2018
| Last updated on 26 May 2019
Here's a complete list of UAE public holidays in 2019 for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the country.
Ladies, get your calendars ready - as here we take a look at the holiday dates for Dubai and the rest of the UAE for 2019. This list includes the fixed UAE holidays in 2019, as well as the UAE public holidays that are dependent on moon sightings, like Ramadan and both Eids.
SEE ALSO: Dubai will now decide is own public holiday dates
Before we get started though, a few things to be aware of:
- it's important to know that Islamic holiday dates are subject to change due to moon sightings
- UAE public holiday dates in 2019 may differ slightly to the below list as we get closer to each occasion
- in the UAE, weekends are Friday and Saturday
- a public holiday in the UAE can be moved to the beginning or end of a week, if it falls between two working days
It seems UAE residents and nationals can expect the first UAE public holiday in 2019 as early as April, following from New Year's Day in January.
A complete list of UAE public holidays in 2019
- Tuesday, 1st January: New Year's Day
- Wednesday, 5th June: Eid Al Fitr
- Thursday, 6th June: Eid Al Fitr holiday
- Sunday, 11th August: Arafat (Haj) Day
- Monday, 12th August: Eid Al Adha
- Tuesday, 13th August: Eid Al Adha holiday
- Wednesday, 14th August: Eid Al Adha holiday
- Sunday, 1st September: Hijri (Islamic New Year)
- Saturday, 30th November: UAE Commemoration Day
- Monday, 2nd December: UAE National Day
- Tuesday, 3rd December: UAE National Day holiday
When is Isra'a Wal Mi'raj 2019?
Isra'a Wal Mi'raj (or the Prophet's Ascension) is an Islamic holiday observed annually on the 27th day of the Islamic month of Rajab. The night of this UAE public holiday literally translates to 'Night Journey and Ascension'. For 2019, Isra'a Wal Mi'raj is expected to fall on Wednesday, 3rd April 2019. However, there will be no public holiday for this date in 2019.
The holiday marks the night that Allah took Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on a journey from Makkah to Jerusalem, and then onwards to heaven. This journey was made in single night, hence the name's translation.
When is Ramadan 2019, Eid Al Fitr 2019 and Eid Al Adha 2019?
For 2019, Eid Al Fitr is likely to begin on or around June 5th, following the Holy Month of Ramadan.
What is Eid Al Fitr, and why do Muslims observe Eid Al Fitr?
Eid Al Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide, as it marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic Holy Month of fasting.
The day of Eid falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal, and has its own particular 'salat' - Islamic prayer - which consists of two units, and is generally offered in an open field or large hall for the community to participate in.
When is Ramadan in UAE 2019?
Ramadan 2019 is expected to begin on Sunday, 5th May 2019 and end on Tuesday, 4th June 2019 - dates may vary due to the lunar cycle. The Holy Month of Ramadan is a 29 day or 30 day period of daylight fasting for Muslims worldwide.
When is Eid Al Adha 2019?
Eid Al Adha is a UAE public holiday which is observed approximately 70 days after the end of Ramadan. Eid Al Adha is the second celebration in the year, and translates as the 'festival of sacrifice'. Eid Al Adha marks the end of Haj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
Traditionally during Eid Al Adha, animals like sheep and goats are slaughtered. For many, it’s required to do the slaughter yourself and is often considered as a rite of passage for Muslim boys. Traditionally, one third of the meat is kept for the family, another third is given to friends and relatives, and the last third is given to the less fortunate.
For 2019, Eid Al Adha is expected to fall on or around Monday, 12th August 2019.
When and what is Arafat (Haj) Day 2019 in UAE?
Arafat Day 2019 is expected to be observed on or around Sunday, 11th August 2019.
On Arafat Day, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) gave his last sermon on mount Arafat. This day is celebrated on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and marks the second day of Haj – the pilgrimage that Muslims must make at least once in their life if they are physically able to. Haj is one of the five pillars that Islam is based on. Arafat Day always occurs the day before Eid Al Adha starts (see above).
When is Hijri - Islamic New Year - in 2019?
Hijri in the UAE in 2019 is expected to land on Sunday, 1st September. This UAE public holiday marks the Islamic New Year on the Islamic calendar, and is often celebrated in a similar fashion as the Gregorian calendar's new year's.
When is Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) birthday in 2019?
For 2019, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is expected to fall on or around Sunday, 1st September. This day celebrates the day on which Prophet Mohammad was born and is celebrated on the 12th day of Rabi Al Awwal. There will be no public holiday in the UAE for this occasion.
When and what is UAE Commemoration Day and UAE National Day?
These two UAE public holidays are the only two dates in the calendar that are not religious holidays. They are fixed dates and are the only two UAE holidays that are observed on the same date every year of the Gregorian calendar.
UAE Commemoration Day - previously known as UAE Martyr's Day - is observed annually on November 30th, with the country's UAE National Day landing shortly after on December 2nd.
The former honours the Emirati’s who have died for their country, and UAE National Day celebrates the day that the seven emirates came together to form the UAE. Originally only six of the emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, Fujairah and Umm al Quwain - joined together to form the new country. Ras al Khaimah joined one year later in 1972.
