The short answer is yes. But the full answer — covering who it applies to, under what law, and what employers are actually required to do — is worth knowing.
This is especially true for the roughly 9 million private sector workers in the UAE who do not always get the same automatic clarity that government employees do. Arafat Day 2026 is confirmed for Tuesday, 26 May 2026, following the UAE Council for Fatwa’s ruling on 17 May. Here is exactly what the law says.
Is Arafat Day 2026 a Public Holiday in UAE? The Confirmed Answer
Yes — Arafat Day on Tuesday, 26 May 2026 is a confirmed paid public holiday in the UAE. The UAE Council for Fatwa’s ruling on 17 May 2026 confirmed the Hijri date, which automatically activates the public holiday under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. The holiday applies to all sectors uniformly — no exceptions for private, government, or free zone employees.
The Law: UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024
The governing instrument is UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 Concerning Public Holidays in the State — the federal law that sets the official holiday calendar for all employees in the UAE.
This resolution explicitly lists Arafat Day (9th Dhul Hijjah) as a one-day public holiday, applying to both the public and private sectors across all seven emirates. Before this resolution, there was sometimes ambiguity between public and private sector entitlements for Islamic holidays. The 2024 Cabinet resolution closed that gap: one unified national calendar, one set of rules, no sector exceptions for Arafat Day.
Does It Apply to Private Sector Employees?
Yes, fully. The UAE Federal Labour Law — Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and its amendments — requires private sector employers to grant employees all public holidays listed in the Cabinet resolution as paid days off. Arafat Day is on that list.
A private sector employer who asks staff to work on Arafat Day without compensation is in breach of UAE labour law. The specifics of entitlements:
Does It Apply to Free Zone Employees?
Yes. Free zone employees in the UAE — including those in the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre), ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market), and the dozens of other free zones — are subject to the national public holiday calendar for Islamic holidays.
DIFC and ADGM operate their own employment laws, but both align with the UAE federal calendar on Islamic public holidays. The only genuine carve-out is for essential services sectors where operational continuity is required — and even those workers are entitled to compensation.
- All government employees
- All private sector employees
- Free zone employees
- Part-time workers (pro-rated)
- Domestic workers (Federal Law No. 9 of 2017)
- Essential services workers
- Healthcare (may work, compensated)
- Utilities and security
- Some hospitality roles
Is Monday, 25 May Also a Public Holiday?
No. Monday, 25 May 2026 is a regular working day. The public holiday starts on Arafat Day itself — Tuesday, 26 May.
However, the Ministry of Education has confirmed that the school midterm break for Term 3 runs from Monday, 25 May to Friday, 29 May. Key distinctions:
- School students and teaching staff: Off from Monday 25 May — covered by the MoE midterm break
- Private sector office workers: Monday 25 May is a regular working day unless employers grant it voluntarily
- Taking Monday as annual leave extends the potential break to nine days (Sat 23 May – Sun 31 May)
Where to Verify the Public Holiday
The UAE Council for Fatwa confirmed the Dhul Hijjah crescent sighting on 17 May 2026. Once confirmed, MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) issues its formal circular to employers — typically within 24 hours — that carries the force of law. The full announcement story is in Arafat Day UAE 2026 Official Announcement: Date Announced. For everything else: Arafat Day 2026 UAE: Everything You Need to Know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arafat Day 2026 a public holiday in the UAE?
Yes. Arafat Day is a confirmed one-day paid public holiday for all employees in the UAE — both public and private sector — under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. In 2026, it falls on Tuesday, 26 May, as confirmed by the UAE Council for Fatwa on 17 May 2026.
Do private sector employees get Arafat Day off in the UAE?
Yes. Private sector employees are fully entitled to Arafat Day as a paid public holiday under UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021). If required to work, they are entitled to a substitute day off or 50% premium pay.
Is Monday 25 May 2026 a public holiday in the UAE?
No. Monday 25 May is a regular working day for private and public sector employees. It is included in the school midterm break announced by the Ministry of Education, but is not a public holiday for the broader workforce.
How many public holiday days are there for Arafat Day and Eid 2026?
Four paid days in total: one for Arafat Day (26 May) and three for Eid Al Adha (27–29 May). Combined with the Saturday–Sunday weekend, the total break is six consecutive days.
Where can I file a complaint if my employer does not give me Arafat Day off?
File with MOHRE via the MOHRE app, the Tawafuq system, or by calling 800 60. MOHRE mediates workplace disputes and can impose penalties on non-compliant employers.
Leave a Reply