UAE residents rang in the New Year with a public holiday, but now face a wait for their next break from work.
The UAE Cabinet confirmed holiday dates for both the public and private sector for 2023 towards the end of last year.
It started with a public holiday on January 1, with Eid Al Fitr the next opportunity for the nation to enjoy some additional leisure time.
When is Ramadan 2023?
Eid is the festival which marks the end of Ramadan, which this year will begin in March.
The start date of the holy month will be determined by the sighting of a new crescent moon, as the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle.
Based on current calculations, Ramadan is expected to start on March 23. This means means Eid Al Fitr is set to be celebrated from Thursday, April 20 to Sunday, April 23.
When is the first day off in 2023?
Eid Al Fitr marks the beginning of the Islamic month Shawwal. The Cabinet said the holiday will be between Ramadan 29 and Shawwal 3 which is expected to be from April 20 to 23.
Next comes Arafat Day, the second day of the week-long Hajj pilgrimage, set to take place on Dhu Al Hijja 9, which is expected to be June 27.
Arafat Day will be followed by Eid Al Adha, one of the most important days in the Muslim calendar. It will fall between Dhu Al Hijja 10 and 12 — expected to be June 28 to 30.
The public holiday to mark Islamic New Year falls on July 21.
Prophet Mohammed's birthday follows that, with a public holiday on September 29.
The holiday for National Day falls on December 2 and 3.
UAE Holidays to come in 2023
April 20 to 23: Eid Al Fitr
June 27: Arafat Day
June 28 to 30: Eid Al Adha
July 21: Islamic New Year
September 29: Prophet Mohammed’s birthday
December 2 and 3: UAE National Day
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Brief scores:
Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37
South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62
Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
The Bio
Ram Buxani earned a salary of 125 rupees per month in 1959
Indian currency was then legal tender in the Trucial States.
He received the wages plus food, accommodation, a haircut and cinema ticket twice a month and actuals for shaving and laundry expenses
Buxani followed in his father’s footsteps when he applied for a job overseas
His father Jivat Ram worked in general merchandize store in Gibraltar and the Canary Islands in the early 1930s
Buxani grew the UAE business over several sectors from retail to financial services but is attached to the original textile business
He talks in detail about natural fibres, the texture of cloth, mirrorwork and embroidery
Buxani lives by a simple philosophy – do good to all
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
