The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has officially confirmed that federal employees will be granted a holiday to celebrate the Islamic New Year. This move, reported by Khaleej Times, means that workers in the federal government will have a day off on Friday, 21 July, to commemorate the significant occasion of the Hijri New Year.
Islamic Calendar: A Lunar-Based System
In contrast to the widely used Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar follows a lunar-based system that relies on moon sightings. This unique approach causes the dates of Islamic events to vary based on the sighting of the crescent moon. Consequently, the timing of important Islamic occasions, such as the Islamic New Year, can fluctuate from year to year.
Emirates Astronomy Society’s Insights on Muharram’s Start
Ibrahim Al Jarwan, the President of the Emirates Astronomy Society (EAS), has provided insights regarding the probable start of Muharram. According to Al Jarwan, it is highly likely that the first day of Muharram, known as 1 Muharram, will commence on Wednesday, 19 July. These predictions are based on astronomical calculations and observations carried out by the EAS.
