UAE's long weekends in 2017

Can you believe that we are already more than halfway through 2017? Over the next 5 months (especially if the moon is on our side) we are most likely to have a few more long weekends; this is including the possibility of one very long weekend (say hooray for UAE National Day).

Days off: Thursday, August 31 – Arafat Day

Arafat Day is the second day of the annual haj (or pilgrimage). This holiday falls on the day before the start of Eid Al Adha.

At dawn, Muslim pilgrims make their way from Mina to a nearby hillside called Mount Arafat, and also visit the Plain of Arafat.

In 2017 Arafat Day falls on a Thursday, so get ready for a 3-day long weekend.

The dates are subject to moon-sighting and could change.

Days off: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 1, 2 and 3 – Eid Al Adha

Eid Al Adha translates to the 'festival of sacrifice'. The Islamic holiday honours Ibrahim and his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail for Allah. According to the Quran, Ismail is happy to oblige, even as Allah sends his angel, Jibra’il to stop him. Jibra'il inform Ibrahims that Allah has already accepted the sacrifice from Ibrahim's intent to oblige.

Goats are sacrificed and divided into three portions; one portion for the family, one for relatives, and a portion for the poor. The holiday begins on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijja which is the last month of the Hijri calendar.

In 2017, Eid Al Adha is expected to begin on Friday, September 1 and might include Sunday, September 3 as well. 

The dates are subject to moon-sighting and could change.

Days off: Thursday, September 21 – Al Hijri – Islamic New Year

Al Hijri is the Islamic New Year. Expected to fall on Thursday, September 21 this year, it is likely that residents in the UAE will enjoy a long weekend.

The new Islamic year celebrated in 2017 is year 1438 according to the Islamic calendar.

The date is subject to moon-sighting and could change.

Days off: Thursday, November 30 – Commemoration Day

Commemoration Day (now referred to as Martyr’s Day) falls on November 30 every year. In 2015, the day was declared by His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, as a day to honour Emiratis who have died fighting for and defending their country.

The remembrance will fall on a Thursday in 2017 and residents can expect yet another long weekend.

Days off: Thursday, November 30 – Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) Birthday

The birthday of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is celebrated on the 12th day of Rabi Al Awwal. In Arabic, the holiday is referred to as Eid Al Mawlid an Nabawi.

In 2017, November 30 falls on a Thursday and with Commemoration Day also falling on this day, it is possible an extra day will be granted on Sunday to create a long weekend.

The date is subject to moon-sighting and could change.

Days off: Saturday and Sunday, December 2 -3 – UAE National Day

The UAE’s National Day is celebrated on December 2 each year. Although the UAE – or the Trucial States as it was known until 1971 – was never part of the British Empire, it was a British Protectorate. The protectorate treaty was withdrawn on December 1, 1971, paving the way for the federal unification of the Trucial States, now known as the emirates.

Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah made up the original UAE, with Ras Al Khaimah joining in a year later in 1972. 2017 will mark the UAE’s 46th birthday.

One or two days are granted as public holidays, and as December 2 is a Saturday, it is possible that Sunday, December 3 might also be granted as a holiday.

Source: http://gulfnews.com/guides/life/community/uae-s-long-weekends-in-2017-1.2049628