Oman announces holiday to celebrate Prophet Muhammad's birthday

The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, will celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in a ceremony on December 7. The ceremony will be held under the patronage of Dr Said bin Khamis al-Ka'abi, Chairman of the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP), the Oman News Agency has reported.

The Ministry's celebration will focus on the meanings and lessons of the biography of the Prophet, as well as the historic value of the occasion.

Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal bin Saud al-Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court and Chairman of the Civil Service Council, separately announced that 12 Rabi' Al Awwal, 1438 which corresponds to December 12 2016, will be an official holiday for employees of the ministries, public authorities and other departments of the state administrative apparatus on the occasion of the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) birthday.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser al-Bakri, Minister of Manpower has issued a ministerial decision in parallel that private sector companies and establishments will stop work on December 12 on the occasion of the Prophet’s birthday (ﷺ).

The decision allows employers and employees to agree on work arrangements during the holiday if necessity arises. Employees whose weekly off-days coincide with this occasion shall be compensated.