UAE residents took another step towards a long weekend after it was confirmed that the Islamic New Year holiday is likely to fall on September 1.
According to a Gulf News report, astronomers have said the moon can be seen on August 30 only in Polynesian Islands with difficulty or in parts of US with optical aids.
This means that Muharram 1 will fall on September 1 as the crescent can be seen easily in the UAE and the rest of the world on August 31 only.
The report also noted that, since the Islamic month of Muharram began on September 11 last year, it is more than likely to start on September 1 this year.
Should that be the case, then government offices will be closed from Friday and schools will not reopen from the summer holidays until Monday, September 2.
The official announcement will be made on Friday evening.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced last week that Muharram 1st, 1441, would be an official holiday with full pay for all public and private sector employees in the UAE.
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