Oman and Kuwait have officially declared a paid holiday on Thursday, January 30, for both public and private sector workers to mark Israa Wal Miraj. This move will provide employees in these two Gulf countries with an extended three-day weekend, spanning from Thursday to Saturday, February 1.
Holiday Observances in Oman and Kuwait
In Oman, Thursday, January 30, has been designated as a public holiday for all sectors, allowing for a long weekend. Similarly, Kuwait has announced the same holiday for its workers, offering the same extended break. Although Israa Wal Miraj is traditionally observed on Monday, January 27, both countries have opted to observe it on Thursday to give employees an extra day of rest, resulting in a convenient long weekend.
Why the UAE Will Not Have a Holiday
Unlike its neighboring countries, the UAE will not offer a holiday for Israa Wal Miraj. This occasion was previously recognized as an official holiday in the UAE until 2018. However, after that year, the government chose to streamline public holidays, removing Israa Wal Miraj from the official list. Since then, it has not been reinstated.
Understanding Israa Wal Miraj
Israa Wal Miraj, or the Prophet’s Ascension, commemorates the night when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) journeyed from Masjid Al Haram in Makkah to Masjid Al Aqsa in Jerusalem. This significant event is observed on the 27th night of Rajab in the Islamic calendar, which this year corresponds to January 27.
Looking Ahead to UAE's Next Public Holiday
The next public holiday in the UAE is expected to fall towards the end of March or the beginning of April, depending on moon sighting. Eid Al Fitr is expected to grant residents a long break, with the UAE Cabinet confirming that the first three days of Shawwal will be designated as public holidays. If Ramadan lasts for 30 days, an additional holiday may be observed on the 30th day of Ramadan, extending the break to four days, from March 30 to April 2. However, if Ramadan is 29 days long, the holiday will cover just the first three days of Eid.
