Best photos of May 12: Fishermen in Gaza to elections in the Philippines
Palestinian fishermen row to shore in Gaza. The UN has estimated daily fish catches in Gaza between October 2023 and December 2024 plummeted to 7.3 per cent of 2022 levels. EPA
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Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Likely dates for Hijri New Year, next Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha revealed
As residents come back from the Eid Al Adha long weekend, many are already looking forward to upcoming holidays in 2026, while reminiscing the long weekends that flew by this year. Faithful across the country, like always, await the dates of major religious events that are set to take place during the next year. The UAE's Astronomy Centre on Monday revealed likely dates for major Islamic events in 2026, corresponding to 1447 AH in the Islamic calendar. Months in the Hijri calendar last 29 to 30 days and are determined on the basis of the Moon sighting. The UAE's Moon sighting committee gathers to sight the Moon at the end of every month, and urges residents to do the same on important occasions. Important to note is that the newly released dates are based on astronomical calculations. These may differ from official holiday dates and should merely be considered as the most likely dates, the authority stated. From Muharram (that is, the first month of the Hijri calendar) to Eid Al Adha in 2026, here are the important ones to know: Muharram The Moon sighting for the month of Muharram is likely to take place on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, which corresponds to Dhul Hijjah 29, 1446 AH. This would mean that the start of the new Islamic year will likely commence on Thursday, June 26, 2025. As per the official UAE holidays calendar, residents can expect a public holiday on the occasion. Ramadan Residents of the UAE are in for a treat with Ramadan set to fall in the cooler month of February next year. The holy month, which is observed by Muslims across the globe, shifts 10 to 12 days behind every year. This year, Ramadan was on Saturday, March 1. The month of Ramadan, which lasts 29 or 30 days, is observed with the act of fasting from dawn to dusk, and highlights the qualities of abstinence and charity. For 2026, the crescent is likely to be sighted on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. This would mean that the holy month would begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in some parts of the world. Since the moon sighting differs in eastern and western regions of the world, countries located in the eastern region will sight the moon on Wednesday, February 18, and start fasting from Thursday, February 19, 2026. Eid Al Fitr The occasion of Eid Al Fitr is marked at the end of Ramadan, where faithful come together to celebrate the end of the fasting and charitable month. The Moon sighting to commence the month of Shawwal depends on whether Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days. It is expected to be on Thursday, March 19, 2026. This means that Eid Al Fitr could fall on Friday, March 20, 2026. This date will also differ depending on which part of the world you are in, with eastern regions usually sighting the moon a day later. Eid Al Adha The festival of Eid Al Adha, celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah — the last month of Hijri calendar — falls a day after the Day of Arafah (Dhul Hijjah 9), which is considered to be the most holy day in Islam. On Eid Al Adha, faithful come together to remember the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim and slaughter cattle and distribute it among the needy. The nine days leading up to the festival are also spent in remembrance of God and spirituality. On the ninth day, Muslims across the globe fast, except for those performing Hajj (the holy pilgrimage). This journey is usually observed between the 8th and 12th or 13th of Dhul Hijjah. In 2026, the crescent marking the start of Dhul Hijjah is expected to be spotted on Saturday, May 16, which means the first day of Dhul Hijjah will begin on Sunday, May 17. This will similarly differ in the eastern region, where the Moon will be spotted a day later on Sunday, May 17, and Dhul Hijjah will begin on Monday, May 18, 2026. This would mean that Eid Al Adha may fall on Tuesday, May 26, in the UAE and western parts of the world, while other parts of the globe will mark it on Wednesday, May 27.
Khaleej Times
10 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi mandates 4 hours of weekly Arabic lessons for KG students in private schools
Abu Dhabi's education authority on Monday announced a new policy requiring kindergartens in private and educational partnership schools to allocate 240 minutes (four hours) per week for Arabic language instruction. This directive will start from the first semester of the 2025–2026 academic year, the Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) confirmed. The directive applies to all early childhood education levels — from pre-kindergarten (first foundation stage) to second kindergarten (first year). The weekly Arabic instruction time will further increase to 300 minutes (five hours) starting in the 2026–2027 school year. According to Adek, the initiative aims to strengthen Arabic language skills among young learners while fostering cultural identity and a sense of belonging from the earliest years of education. The move is part of broader efforts to enhance language acquisition and preserve national heritage through early and consistent exposure to Arabic during formative learning stages.
Arabian Business
10 hours ago
- Arabian Business
UAE holidays 2025: When is the next long weekend? Expected dates revealed
The UAE will observe at least 12 public holidays in 2025, with residents having just concluded the Eid Al Adha break. The next long weekend of the year is expected to fall on Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (PBUH). The break is expected to fall on Friday, September 5, creating a three-day long weekend for residents. The date corresponds to Rabi' Al Awwal 12 in the Islamic calendar, though it may change depending on whether Islamic months contain 29 or 30 days. . The confirmed public holiday occasions left in 2025 include: Muharram 1: Islamic New Year Rabi' Al Awwal 12: Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) birthday December 2: UAE National Day December 3: UAE National Day However, the timing of Islamic holidays depends on lunar observations, meaning final confirmation will come closer to each date.
