UAE public holidays for 2015 announced by Abu Dhabi government

The list of 2015 public holidays for the UAE, released on the Abu Dhabi Government website, is subject to the moon sighting and may differ slightly from the date given.

Federal ministries, public departments and institutions will be closed on public holidays. Silvia Razgova / The National
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The Abu Dhabi Government has announced the list of public holidays planned for 2015.

“The official reference to determine Islamic occasions, such as the beginning of Ramadan or Haj, is the Hijri Calendar. It is based on the phases of the moon. Hence, the exact dates of Islamic events vary from one Gregorian year to another as they depend on the local sightings of the moon,” the announcement reads.

Public sector workers in the UAE can expect at least 11 more public holidays in 2015.

Although the list of holidays was released only on the Abu Dhabi Government website, most other emirates tend to follow a similar schedule.

All federal ministries, public departments and institutions will be closed on the following holidays:

- January 1, New Year's Day

- January 3, Prophet Mohammed's Birthday

- May 16, Israa and Miraj Night *

- June 18, Ramadan expected to begin*

- July 17, Eid Al Fitr*

- September 14, Haj season*

- September 22, Arafat Day*

- September 23, Eid Al Adha*

- October 15, Hijri New Year*

- November 30, Martyrs' Day

- December 2 and 3, UAE National Day

* Please remember Islamic holiday exact dates are subject to moon sighting and may differ from date given.

According to the website, the UAE National Day holiday will be two days, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha will be three days, and the others will be one day.

This page will be updated throughout the year, with the latest news as it is announced. Relevant dates for both the public and private sector in the UAE will be linked.

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