Public & National Holidays in Oman
Sultanate of Oman is an Arab state located on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula, with Muscat as its capital. It is predominantly a Muslim country and about 600,000 expatriates from different countries live in Oman for their livelihood. Almost half of Oman’s population lives in the capital, Muscat. Because of a dominant Muslim population, most of the holidays in Oman are according to the Islamic calendar. However, people of other religions like Christians and Hindus do get holidays on their festivals but those are not public holidays in the country.
Instructions
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1
Holidays in January
1st - New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day (January, 1) is normally a holiday in most parts of the world but it is not a public holiday in Oman, although many people are given an off on the occasion. -
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Holidays in July
23rd - Renaissance Day
July 23rd is considered to be a Renaissance Day in Oman and is a public holiday. It is the marked anniversary of the Renaissance led by his Majesty Sultan Qaboos. Oman started an era of development and progress at every level in the 1970s, which included improvement of relations with other countries as well as domestic growth. -
3
Holidays in November
18th – National Day
It is the birthday of his Majesty Sultan Qaboos and is considered to be the National Day of Oman. -
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Islamic Holidays
There are a number of public holidays in Oman on Islamic festivals, which are obviously given according to the Islamic calendar. Dates of the Hijri calendar keep changing when compared with the modern Gregorian calendar, which is also known as the Western calendar. The Hijri calendar marks Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) migration from Makkah to Madina.
Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) Birthday
12 Rabi’ al-Awal is the birthday of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and is a public holiday in Oman. Mohammad (PBUH) is the last of the long series of prophets according to the Islamic faith.
Lailat al-Miraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
27th day of the month of Rajab is celebrated as Lailat al-Miraj. It is a public holiday observed throughout the country. Rajab is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar.
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the 1st of Shawwal every year and three public holidays are given on the occasion.
Eid al-Adha
People living in Oman enjoy three public holidays on this festival as well, which is rejoiced on the 10th of Dhu-I-Hijjah every year.
1st Muharram
Muharram is the first month in the Islamic calendar and the 1st of this month is a public holiday to mark a new Islamic year.
