Dubai: Public and private sector employees in the UAE will not get a holiday marking Al Isra’a Wal Mi’raj, sources told Gulf News.

This is in line with the unified holidays declaration by the UAE Cabinet earlier in March. In the list released at that time, this public holiday was not listed. Prophet Mohammad’s birthday, which was also previously celebrated as a public day off, wasn’t included in the list either.

When is it?

Al Isra’a Wal Mi’raj is an Islamic holiday observed annually on the 27th day of the Islamic month of Rajab, according to the Hijiri calendar.

This year, as far as the Gregorian calendar is concerned, the holiday should fall on Wednesday April 3.

The UAE Cabinet-approved list of national holidays for 2019, published last month, does not mention a public holiday to mark Isra’a Wal M’raj.

What does it translate to?

Al Isra’a Wal Mi’raj roughly translates as “Night Journey and Ascension”.

What does it mark?

Al Isra’a Wal Mi’raj marks the night God took Mohammad (PBUH) on a journey from Makkah to Jerusalem, and then to heaven. The journey was made in a single night, hence the name.

What is done on the day?

Muslims offer optional prayers throughout the night. In some parts of the world, candles are lit and special lights are shone to signify Mohammad’s (PBUH) journey.

According the Ministry of Labour, both the UAE private sector companies and the public sector will have an official holiday. For those working during the public holiday, they should be compensated.

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