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Public Holidays
As the UAE is a Muslim country, Ramadan and other holidays are observed. Changing from year to year depending on the phases of the moon during the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night. It is important to be aware of these holidays and in turn respect the restrictions that go along with them including refraining from smoking, drinking and eating in public. Many restaurants are closed during the day and some business hours may change to accommodate the feast. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr and and Eid al-Adha lasting from two to 10 days, depending on the region.
Public holidays for 2009
On these days, professionals with a job in Dubai or a job in the UAE elsewhere are off from work:
- 1 Jan: New Year's Day
- 7 Jan: Ashoura
- 9 Mar: Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
- 20 Jul: Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
- 21 Sep: Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
- 28 Nov: Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
- 2 Dec: National Day
- 18 Dec: Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year)
- 27 Dec: Ashoura
Public holidays for 2010
- 1 Jan: New Year's Day
- 26 Feb: Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
- 9 Jul: Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
- 11 Sep: Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
- 17 Nov: Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
- 2 Dec: National Day
- 7 Dec: Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year)
- 16 Dec: Ashoura
