2019 UAE Public Holidays to look forward to

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2019 UAE Public Holidays to look forward to

2019 is here and the next thing to look for is the list of public holidays this year in the UAE. Happily enough, the 2019 Calendar offers more room for long weekends and quick trips with its many public holidays.

January 1 New Years Day
The world throngs into the many tourist destinations in the UAE to celebrate New Year and witness the breathtaking fireworks and parties that captivate the world, as a part of celebrating the threshold of the new Gregorian year. The Burj Khalifa is one of the prime destinations for celebrants to gather and have fun.
2019 will see New Years Day falling on a Tuesday.

April 3 Al Israa Wal Miraj Ascension Day
The Islamic holiday of Al Israa Wal Miraj is observed annually on the 27th day of the month of Rajab according to the Islamic Hijri Calendar. The day commemorates the miraculous journey of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) from Makkah to Jerusalem, and then to heaven, upon Allahs wills and commands. The name of the day is derived from the fact that the journey happened within a single night.
This year, the holiday falls on Wednesday, April 3, which means there is a scope for a long weekend if Thursday is combined with it upon orders from the Ministry as has happened before.

June 4/5 Eid Al Fitr
Eid Al Fitr is the Islamic Festival that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan observed with fasting. Once the moon is sighted, the next day will be declared as Eid Al Fitr. The number of days off will be announced with respect to the day of the week it falls on.
In 2019, the end of Ramadan could be June 4 (Tuesday) or 5 (Wednesday), which will be confirmed closer to the date based on the moon-sighting.

August 10 Arafat Day
The second day of the annual holy pilgrimage of Muslims, Hajj, is observed as the Day of Arafat. This holiday falls on the day just before Eid Al Adha. At dawn, Muslim pilgrims performing Hajj make their way from Mina to a nearby hillside called Mount Arafat and a plain called the Plain of Arafat.
In 2019 Arafat Day is expected to fall on a Saturday (August 10). However, the date is subject to moon-sighting and could change.

August 11 Eid Al Adha
Eid Al Adha or festival of sacrifice is the second of the two Islamic Festivals. The day seeks to honour and remember Prophet Ibrahim and his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in the name of Allah. Ismail calmy and happily complies with this order when Allah sends his angel, Jibrail, to inform Ibrahim that he has already accepted the sacrifice from his heart.
In memory of this selfless sacrifice, Muslims sacrifice goats that are divided into three parts: one part for the family, one part for relatives, and one part for the poor. The holiday begins on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijja the last month of the Hijri calendar.
In 2019, the holidays of Eid Al Adha are predicted to begin on Sunday, August 11. A three-day holiday for Eid Al Adha, comprising Arafat Day on Saturday, could mean a long weekend in the month of August.

September 1 Al Hijri Islamic New Year
Al Hijri is the Islamic New Year. This year, Sunday is the day of the week expected for this observation. If you have Saturdays off, you will be lucky enough to enjoy a long weekend.
This date too is subject to moon-sighting and could change.

November 9 Prophet Mohammads (PBUH) Birthday
This day is observed to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) which falls on the 12th of Rabi Al Awwal, according to the Islamic Calendar. The holiday is referred to as Milad Al Nabi.
In 2019, this holiday falls on November 9, Saturday. The date is subject to moon-sighting and could change.

November 30 Commemoration Day
Commemoration Day also referred to as Martyrs Day is a public holiday in Dubai, observed on November 30. His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, declared the day in 2015 to honour Emiratis who have sacrificed their lives for their country.
The remembrance will fall on November 30, a Saturday in 2019.

December 2 UAE National Day
The UAE celebrates its National Day on December 2, every year. Despite the UAE or the Trucial States as it was known until 1971 never being a part of the British Empire, it was a British Protectorate. On December 1, 1971, the protectorate treaty was withdrawn leading to the federal unification of the Trucial States.
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. 2019 will witness the UAEs 48th birthday.
One or two days are granted as public holidays, and with December 2 being a Monday, one could enjoy a long weekend.

With many of the dates mentioned above depending on the Islamic Calendar which is based on the moon, these are subject to change. However, this is the present calendar that one can look forward to for holidays to come in the year 2019.