1442 has arrived

The Omani Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs has announced that 21 August 2020, is the first day of the Islamic new year 1442.

The Oman News Agency reported that the new moon marking the month of Muharram had not been sighted on the 19th, making 20 August the last day of the month Dhulhijjah, and the last day of the year 1441.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that 20 August was 1 Muharram, 1442 in KSA according to the Umm Al-Qura calendar as the crescent for Muharram had been sighted on the 19th.

The Bahrain News Agency announced on the 19th that in line with directives from HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Royal Court of Bahrain will start distributing the annual donation marking 1442. This will be done through the Sunni and Jafari Endowments Directorates to charities and Hussaini community centres.

Islamic New Year to be celebrated on October 2 in Kuwait, UAE

Kuwait's Civil Service Communication has named October 2 as the holiday marking the Islamic new year, the year 1438, says the Kuwait News Agency. The holiday will be observed by all government agencies, institutions and ministries.

The Emirates News Agency (WAM) has similarly reported that the holiday marking the Islamic New Year for Federal Ministries and departments will be on October 2, with official responsibilities resuming on October 3. The agency cited an announcement from Dr Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention and Chairman of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.

WAM also said the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has declared October 2 2016, an official paid holiday for all private sector employees in the UAE to mark Islamic New Year. The announcement was made by Saqr bin Ghobash Saeed Ghobash, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

Meanwhile, the Emirates Post Group that all post offices across the UAE will remain closed on the occasion of the Islamic New Year on 2 October, except for the Dubai Airport Post Office, which is open 24x7, and Das Post Office in Abu Dhabi. All post offices will resume work on 3 October, the organisation stated.

TCA Abu Dhabi offers five-star food to less privileged to mark Islamic New Year

An initiative by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) saw celebrity Indian chef Sanjeev Kapoor cook exclusively for 200 construction workers, office boys, drivers and cleaners as a special celebration to mark Islamic New Year 1437. 

The masterchef prepared delicacies at his restaurant Signature in Nation Galleria before the banquet was distributed to less privileged workers in Abu Dhabi. Helping to distribute the food were members of the restaurant staff as well as TCA Abu Dhabi’s Corporate Social Responsibility team. 

Mouza Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director Marketing and Communication, TCA Abu Dhabi, said: “We are actively engaged within the community throughout the year and lead a number of initiatives here at the Authority to make people’s lives better while they are working and living in the emirate."

Maal Hijrah/Awal Muharram