Prophet's birthday holiday announced for UAE private sector

A long weekend for private and public sector workers has been announced

epa07002640 Visitors walk at the courtyard of the memorial of Wahat Al Karama opposite to Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 September 2018 (issued 07 September 2018). According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on 05 September, the Abu Dhabi’s Wahat Al Karama (Oasis of Dignity) memorial was one of the winners of the German Design Award, an annual competition organized by the German Design Council, to recognize exceptional architectural projects and products. The Memorial was designed by British artist Idris Khan and comprises 31 massive aluminum-clad tablets, each leaning on the other, symbolizing the unity, inscribed with a series of poems and quotations by the UAE leaders.  EPA/ALI HAIDER
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Workers across the UAE will have a three-day weekend to celebrate Prophet Mohammed's birthday.

Sunday, November 18, will be a paid public holiday for private sector workers and all government staff, according to a circular issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

Work will resume on Monday, November 19.

The holiday was expected to fall on November 20, but was moved to allow workers a longer weekend instead of a midweek break.

Nasser Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, congratulated the country's rulers, its people and residents on the occasion.

The Prophet's birthday is the next in a busy calendar of important dates in the country.

Commemoration Day, also known as Martyrs' Day, will be marked on Friday, November 30.

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It was first decreed as an annual public holiday in 2015 by President Sheikh Khalifa.

It is an occasion to honour the Emiratis who died while serving their country.

Since November 30 falls on a Friday, it is unlikely it will be announced as a holiday.

National Day on December 2 this year marks the 47th anniversary of the unification of the Emirates.

The date falls on a Sunday, and will be a long weekend for the public and private sector.