Guide to all your 2019 holidays
As 2018 comes to an end, we look forward to all the possible holidays that the new year may bring. Here are all of the days off and short breaks that 2019 may hold out for us.
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January 1 – New Year’s Day
The UAE has already announced that New Year’s day will be a public holiday. Both public and private sectors will have Tuesday January 1 off, with work resuming on Wednesday January 2
April 3 – Al Isra’a Wal Mi’raj
Al Isra’a Wal Mi’raj is one of the many Islamic holidays that the UAE celebrates. It follows the Hijri calendar, and is observed on the 27th day of the Islamic month of Rajab, which falls on April 3 in 2019. Al Isra’a Wal Mi’raj marks the night when Allah took Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) on a journey from Makkah to Jerusalem, and then to heaven.
The holiday may include Thursday, April 4 to combine with the weekend. This may be the perfect time to plan a short trip, once the Ministry confirms the dates.
June 4/5 – Eid Al Fitr
Eid Al Fitr is the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. The dates are based on moon sightings, but are expected to fall between June 4 to 5. Residents should expect to get two days off based on when it falls during the week, as this is usually the case with Eid Al Fitr.
August 10 – Arafat Day
Arafat Day marks the second day of the annual Hajj (the Muslim pilgrimage). The holiday takes place the day before the start of Eid Al Adha. The date of Arafat is based on moon-sighting, but is expected to fall on August 10, which is a Saturday.
August 11 – Eid Al Adha
Eid Al Adha is the celebration of sacrifice. It honours Prophet Ibrahim, and his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail for Allah – his son is willing to oblige, before Allah sent his angel Jibra’il, to inform Prophet Ibrahim that he has already accepted the sacrifice from his heart.
To mark this occasion, goats are sacrificed and divided into three parts: one part for the family, one part for relatives, and one part for the poor. The three-day holiday is expected to begin on Sunday, August 11, which could mean another long weekend for us.
September 1 – Islamic New Year
In 2019 the Islamic New Year is expected to fall on September 1, which will be a Sunday. This could possibly also be another long weekend. However, the official date of the holiday is subject to moon-sighting.
November 9 – Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) Birthday
The birthday of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is celebrated on the 12th day of Rabi Al Awwal, of the Hijri calendar. This day falls on November 9, which will be a Saturday. This holiday also will be based on moon-sighting.
November 30 – Commemoration Day
Commemoration Day, which is sometimes referred to as Martyr’s Day, is a public holiday on November 30. This holiday was announced by His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, back in 2015 to honour Emiratis who have died for their country.
November 30 is going to be on a Saturday in 2019.
December 2 – UAE National Day
The UAE’s National Day is celebrated on December 2. Next year will be the UAE’s 48th National Day. In 2019, December 2 will be a Monday, and as we usually get one or two days as holiday, this will probably be another long weekend.
