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Advance announcement of holidays a blessing

4 Jan 2023 By SHADDAD AL MUSALMY

Muscat – Citizens and residents of Oman have warmly welcomed the early announcement of holidays based on the latest Royal Decree issued by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, regarding the confirmation of official holidays for the state administrative apparatus, government and private sector establishments on religious and national occasions.

Following the announcement on Wednesday by the authorities that January 12 (Thursday) will be an official holiday for employees in the public and private sectors on the occasion of the His Majesty the Sultan’s Accession Day, a general mood of excitement immediately spread with people feeling relieved that they can prepare well in advance their itinerary for travel or staycation.

Oman now gives equal number of holidays to both the government and the private sector employees; and people consider this move to be a great one especially for long breaks.

“I am happy now because whenever I get holidays, my family members who work in the private sector also get the same days of break. This helps us plan any family gathering or a travel together during holidays,” Mohammed al Rahbi, a government employee, said.

Rahbi said that the announcement of holidays much in advance these days is a blessing for all.

“For doing so, we get to plan where to spend the holidays together and in case we want to travel – whether inside or outside the country – we can plan well in advance, which becomes cost effective,” he added.

Last month, His Majesty the Sultan issued a Royal Decree fixing official holidays.

The decree stated that if any of the days of the weekly off coincides with the mentioned holidays, it will be compensated by an additional day of break. The dates of the mentioned holidays may also be amended if public interest so dictates.

Aziz al Naamani, a bank employee, said that the Royal Decree issued last month will make his holiday plans go smoothly. “We can plan properly because we now get to know the exact dates of the coming holidays.

“We are looking forward to celebrate the first holiday of the year – His Majesty the Sultan’s Accession Day and now that we know the exact date, I have to plan well. Along with the weekend, I will use the break to visit Salalah,” he added.

The second holiday of the year is scheduled for Al Isra’a Wal Miraj on Rajab 27, coinciding with February 18, which is a Saturday.

As the decree stipulates that if any of the days of the weekly off coincides with the official holidays, it shall be compensated by one day. So, the another long weekend is set to come up in February.

The holidays for Eid al Fitr will start from the 29th day of the holy month of Ramadan, which is likely to be from April 20, a Thursday, to the third day of Shawwal/1444, April 23, Sunday.

The Eid al Adha holidays are expected to be another long break. According to the Royal Decree, the holidays are from 9-12 Dhul Hijjah, which would mean that celebrations are likely to be from June 27, Tuesday, till the end of the week.

The Hijra New Year that will be on the 1st Muharram is likely to be on July 19, which is a Wednesday and the Prophet’s Birthday this year will also fall on a Wednesday as it would be celebrated on September 27.

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