Muscat: The Council of Ministers has approved a policy for the annual advance announcement of national and religious holiday dates at the beginning of each Gregorian year. The exceptions are the Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha holidays, which will be announced in accordance with the declarations of the Main Committee for the Sighting of the Hijri Month Crescents. This planning policy is part of the government's focus on improving institutional and administrative efficiency.
According to Oman News Agency, the Ministry of Labor clarified in a statement that this approach is based on the anticipated positive impacts of such an announcement, the most important of which are enabling units of the state administrative apparatus and the private sector to regulate their daily, quarterly, and annual work schedules, programs, and schedules. The advance announcement also helps avoid scheduling conflicts between holidays and local and international events organized by units of the state administrative apparatus or the private sector.
Accordingly, the dates for the national and religious holidays for 2026 are as follows:
First: National Occasions;
· The Sultan's Accession Day: Thursday, 15 January 2026.
· The National Day: Wednesday and Thursday, 25 and 26 November 2026.
Second: Religious Occasions;
· Al Isra' by Mi'raj: Sunday, 18 January 2026.
· New Hijri Year: Thursday, 18 June 2026.
· The Prophet's Birthday PBUH: Thursday, 27 August 2026.