UAE public and private sector workers will be granted a public holiday on Wednesday, January 1, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed on Friday.
New Year's Day, as observed on the Gregorian calendar, was among the public holiday dates already set out for 2025 by the UAE Cabinet. These include Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, two days of celebrations for Eid Al Etihad, also known as National Day, as well as the Islamic, or Hijri New Year.
Federal government staff will resume work on January 2. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation later confirmed on social media platform X that "Wednesday, January 1, 2025, will be New Year’s paid holiday for all private sector employees in the UAE".
The public holiday will be welcomed by employees who plan to take part in New Year's Eve festivities being organised across the country, including concerts and fireworks. The fireworks show at Dubai's Burj Khalifa will once more be a major highlight as thousands see in 2025.
Designated free public viewing areas in Downtown Dubai will open at 5pm on a first-come, first-served basis. Major roads in the area will close from 6pm. Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority is also expected to announce public transport operating hours and stoppages soon.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The biog
Born: near Sialkot, Pakistan, 1981
Profession: Driver
Family: wife, son (11), daughter (8)
Favourite drink: chai karak
Favourite place in Dubai: The neighbourhood of Khawaneej. “When I see the old houses over there, near the date palms, I can be reminded of my old times. If I don’t go down I cannot recall my old times.”
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The specs
Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
Engine: 5.7-litre Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
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6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
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