UAE residents can expect some significant differences in the holiday dates in 2023 – including some extra-long weekends.
After Eid Al Adha, the UAE has two main holidays for the year remaining – Hijri New Year and National Day, which includes Commemoration Day.
Eid Al Adha began on Wednesday, June 28, two days after the start of Hajj with Arafat Day falling on Tuesday, June 27.
Both public and private sector workers were able to enjoy an extra long Eid Al Adha break this year, with staff granted paid leave from Tuesday, June 27 until Friday, June 30. It meant many were able to enjoy six days off, with the weekend falling immediately after the festival.
Eid Al Adha is the second of the two Eids which take place during the year, after Eid Al Fitr which started on Friday, April 21. Employees enjoyed a four-day break for the religious festival from Thursday, April 20 and returning to work on Monday, April 24.
While some of the longest breaks have already taken place this year, residents can still enjoy some time off and long weekends in 2023, with Hijri New Year, the Prophet Mohammed's birthday and National Day yet to come.
All three dates are expected to be marked with long weekends.
In November last year, the UAE Cabinet confirmed the dates of the Emirates' holidays for public and private sectors.
The government announced in 2019 that private sector workers would have the same number of holidays as government employees.
At the time, it said the alignment aimed to achieve balance between the two sectors and support the national economy. Previously, public sector employees had more days off than private companies.
Three long weekends
The longest break in 2023 has just taken place, with many enjoying time off for Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha.
The public holiday to mark Hijri New Year – Islamic New Year – falls on Wednesday July 19, which may mean another long weekend.
The Prophet Mohammed's birthday falls on Friday September 29, which also give residents a long weekend.
The holiday for National Day falls on Saturday December 2 and Sunday December 3, with the likelihood of another long weekend in store.
Remaining holidays for 2023
July 19: Islamic New Year
September 29: Prophet Mohammed’s birthday
December 2 and 3: UAE National Day
SOUTH%20KOREA%20SQUAD
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RESULT
Bayern Munich 3 Chelsea 2
Bayern: Rafinha (6'), Muller (12', 27')
Chelsea: Alonso (45' 3), Batshuayi (85')
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
Results
Men's finals
45kg:Duc Le Hoang (VIE) beat Zolfi Amirhossein (IRI) points 29-28. 48kg: Naruephon Chittra (THA) beat Joseph Vanlalhruaia (IND) TKO round 2.
51kg: Sakchai Chamchit (THA) beat Salam Al Suwaid (IRQ) TKO round 1. 54kg: Veerasak Senanue (THA) beat Huynh Hoang Phi (VIE) 30-25.
57kg: Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) beat Tak Chuen Suen (MAC) RSC round 3. 60kg: Yerkanat Ospan (KAZ) beat Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) 30-27.
63.5kg: Abil Galiyev (KAZ) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE) 29-28. 67kg: Narin Wonglakhon (THA) beat Mohammed Mardi (UAE) 29-28.
71kg: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) w/o Shaker Al Tekreeti (IRQ). 75kg: Youssef Abboud (LBN) w/o Ayoob Saki (IRI).
81kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Khaled Tarraf (LBN) 29-28. 86kg: Ali Takaloo (IRI) beat Emil Umayev (KAZ) 30-27.
91kg: Hamid Reza Kordabadi (IRI) beat Mohamad Osaily (LBN) RSC round 1. 91-plus kg: Mohammadrezapoor Shirmohammad (IRI) beat Abdulla Hasan (IRQ) 30-27.
Women's finals
45kg: Somruethai Siripathum (THA) beat Ha Huu Huynh (VIE) 30-27. 48kg: Thanawan Thongduang (THA) beat Colleen Saddi (PHI) 30-27.
51kg: Wansawang Srila Or (THA) beat Thuy Phuong Trieu (VIE) 29-28. 54kg: Ruchira Wongsriwo (THA) beat Zeinab Khatoun (LBN) 30-26.
57kg: Sara Idriss (LBN) beat Zahra Nasiri Bargh (IRI) 30-27. 60kg: Kaewrudee Kamtakrapoom (THA) beat Sedigheh Hajivand (IRI) TKO round 2.
63.5kg: Nadiya Moghaddam (IRI) w/o Reem Al Issa (JOR).
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Race card for Super Saturday
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dh918,125) (Dirt) 1,900m.
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m.
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m.