May 25 a holiday for UAE public sector

The holiday was moved from the original date of Monday, May 26, because UAE law allows a holiday which falls midweek to be moved to either Sunday or Thursday, it was announced.

ABU DHABI // The Federal Authority for Human Resources has confirmed that Sunday, May 25 will be a holiday for the public sector to mark Isra wal Miraj.

The holiday was moved from May 26, because UAE law allows a holiday which falls midweek to be moved to either Sunday or Thursday.

The Ministry of Labour also confirmed that May 25 will be an official paid holiday for the private sector. Ministries and federal government bodies will close.

Work will resume on May 26, according to a circular issued yesterday by Humaid Al Qattami, Minister of Education and chairman of the human resources authority.

Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Labour, congratulated the Government, its citizens and residents on the holy occasion, praying for further progress and prosperity in the UAE and Islamic countries.

Isra wal Miraj, also known as The Night Journey, refers to a two-part journey the Prophet Mohammed undertook on the 27th day of the Islamic month of Rajab, in or about the year 621.

It marks the time the Prophet Mohammed travelled from Mecca to the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem in one night, and will be celebrated with a holiday weekend.

In Jerusalem the Prophet ascended to heaven where God commanded the five daily prayers, one of the five pillars of Islam. The other pillars were commanded on Earth.

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