Oman and Kuwait have declared Thursday, January 30, as a paid holiday for public and private sector employees in observance of Israa Wal Miraj. This decision allows residents in both countries to enjoy a long weekend, from January 30 to February 1, as it includes their regular Friday and Saturday weekend.
Israa Wal Miraj, also known as the Prophet’s Ascension, marks the night Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) journeyed from Makkah to Jerusalem. While the occasion officially falls on Monday, January 27, Oman and Kuwait opted to shift the holiday to Thursday for an extended weekend.
In contrast, UAE residents will not have a holiday for Israa Wal Miraj. The UAE government removed the observance from the official holiday list in 2019 when public and private sector holidays were unified.
The next public holiday in the UAE is expected to be Eid Al Fitr at the end of March or early April, depending on the moon sighting. UAE residents may enjoy up to four days off during this Islamic holiday, marking the end of Ramadan.
