Oman and Kuwait Declare Paid Holiday for Israa Wal Miraj; UAE Residents Excluded
Oman and Kuwait have announced a paid holiday on Thursday, January 30, 2025, for both public and private sector employees in observance of Israa Wal Miraj. The decision allows residents in these countries to enjoy a three-day weekend from January 30 to February 1, including their usual Friday and Saturday weekend.
While Israa Wal Miraj officially falls on Monday, January 27, both Gulf nations opted to shift the holiday to Thursday to provide an extended weekend for their citizens and residents.
No Holiday for UAE Residents
UAE residents will not observe a public holiday for Israa Wal Miraj this year. In 2019, the UAE government excluded Israa Wal Miraj from its official list of holidays when the Cabinet unified public and private sector holidays.
About Israa Wal Miraj
Israa Wal Miraj, also known as the Prophet’s Ascension, marks the miraculous night journey of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Masjid Al Haram in Makkah to Masjid Al Aqsa in Jerusalem. This event is celebrated on the 27th night of Rajab in the Islamic calendar, which falls on January 27, 2025, this year.
Next Public Holiday in UAE
The next public holiday in the UAE is likely to fall at the end of March or early April 2025 for Eid Al Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. Depending on moon sighting, residents can expect a three- or four-day break during this Islamic festival.
If Ramadan lasts 30 days, the holiday will span from Ramadan 30 to Shawwal 3, likely from Monday, March 31, to Thursday, April 3. However, if Ramadan is only 29 days, the holiday will begin on Shawwal 1 and end on Shawwal 3, running from Monday, March 31, to Wednesday, April 2.
