Oman’s Public Holiday Will Be Fixed From Now On

In the past, Oman’s public holidays were only announced as we were approaching that certain holiday. The public would usually also be uncertain about the exact dates and duration of the holiday until 2 weeks prior to it.

The uncertainty will no longer be an issue because His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq has issued a new Royal Decree today (April 20th), to allocate official days for national holidays for both public and private sectors in Oman. Many of the holidays are Islamic holidays and their dates are therefore given according to the Arabic calendar.

The Royal Decree states that:

1. One day will be given as a public holiday to mark the Islamic New Year on the 1st of Muharram (Arabic Hijri Calendar).
2. One day will be given as a public holiday on the 12th of Rabi Al Awal (Arabic Hijri Holiday) in celebration of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
3. One day will be given as a public holiday on the 27th of Rajab to mark the occasion of Al Isra’a Wal Miraj (Arabic Hijri Calendar).
4. Two days public holiday will be given on November 18 and 19 in celebration of Oman National Day. If these days happen to coincide with the weekend, then the public will be compensated by one day’s holiday on another day of the week. The date of the Oman National Day holidays are subject to change, for the public benefit, if necessary.
5. Public holidays for Eid Al Fitr will start from the 29th of Ramadan, until the 3rd of Shawal (Arabic Hijri Calendar).
6. Public holidays for Eid Al Adha will be from the 9th to the 12th of Zu Al Hijjah (Arabic Hijri Calendar).