Weekend brunchers, you’ll want to know about this…

The second of the year’s public holidays, Isra’a Wal Mi’raj, is coming up this weekend. With it comes the announcement that there will be a dry night in Dubai.

Although we’re still waiting on actual confirmation of the holiday (remember, Islamic holidays are based on the phases of the moon), an official communication issued by the Department of Tourism and Commerce last week highlighted that there will be a dry night from 6pm on Friday April 13 until 7pm on Saturday April 14. So really, the dry night is a dry day.

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Many of you will be very familiar with this concept, however, some of you who are new to Dubai might not be.

Here’s an explainer: during a dry day, no alcohol is served across Dubai and the UAE. This applies to all outlets, including hotels. This will mean you won’t be served alcoholic drinks at all after 6pm on Friday April 13, or until after 7pm on Saturday April 14.

What is Isra’a Wal Mi’raj?

This holiday marks the night that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) travelled from Mecca to Jerusalem and ascended to heaven.

What about the public holiday?

The holiday looks set to fall on Saturday, April 14, so we are still unsure as to whether an additional day off will be given – or if it is, whether it will be on Thursday April 12 or Sunday April 15.

Bahrain has announced it will celebrate the holiday on Thursday, April 12, while Kuwait has said it will give workers the day off on Sunday, April 15.

Last year, Isra’a Wal Miraj fell on Saturday, April 22.

Both public and private sector workers in the UAE got the Sunday off under the country’s federal law, which allows public holidays that fall on a weekend to be moved to the beginning or end of the week.

As soon as an official confirmation of the holiday is given, we’ll be sure to let you know.

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