Public holidays such as Eid Al Fitr are celebrated with fireworks in the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
Public holidays such as Eid Al Fitr are celebrated with fireworks in the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
Public holidays such as Eid Al Fitr are celebrated with fireworks in the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
Public holidays such as Eid Al Fitr are celebrated with fireworks in the UAE. Victor Besa / The National

UAE public holiday dates in 2025 predicted by leading astronomer


Salam Al Amir
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The Cabinet has announced national holidays for the public and private sector for next year.

While the precise dates according to the Gregorian calendar will not be confirmed until much nearer to the time, The National has spoken to leading astronomers for a clearer idea of when the holidays will fall.

For public holidays such as Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, exact dates are confirmed by the UAE’s Moon-sighting committee in the days preceding the holidays.

But Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society, explained the precision with which the lunar cycle position can be determined using astronomical calculations.

“We can accurately predict the new moon's position for up to 100 years in advance based on certain elements,” he told The National.

“However, an official confirmation is required from the Ministry of Justice despite the scientific accuracy.”

When are 2025's public holidays?

The first public holiday of 2025 will be New Year's Day on Wednesday, January 1, followed by Eid Al Fitr, the festival that marks the end of Ramadan.

Eid Al Fitr could fall between Monday, March 31, and Wednesday, April 2, astronomers at the Emirates Astronomical Society told The National.

Arafat Day is expected to fall on Friday, May 30, which would mean Eid Al Adha will fall from Saturday, May 31, to Wednesday, June 2.

Islamic New Year is expected to fall on Friday, June 27, while the Prophet Mohammed's birthday is expected to fall on Monday, September 1.

Meanwhile, Commemoration Day is set for Monday, December 1, while the public holidays for National Day will likely fall on Tuesday, December 2, and Wednesday, December 3.

The Cabinet has the authority to postpone any of the holidays, except for the Eid holidays, to either the beginning or end of the week to ensure extended weekends.

Holidays that coincide with other official holidays or weekends cannot be postponed.

Mr Al Jarwan said key elements in predicting the lunar cycle include the birth of the new Moon or its conjunction with the Sun, the new Moon's elevation above the horizon at sunset, the age of the new Moon at sunset and how long it remains above the horizon after sunset.

“There are other elements that are based on over 100 years of documented observations and more than 3,000 documented sightings from different parts of the world,” he said.

Watch: Eid al Fitr fireworks 2024

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The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

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1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Updated: May 30, 2024, 7:00 AM