Latest news with #IslamicNewYear


NDTV
4 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
July 7 Public Holiday: Muharram Observance May Affect Schools, Markets, Banks, And Exchanges
Muharram, marking the beginning of the Islamic New Year, is expected to be observed in India on either July 6 or 7, 2025, depending on the moon sighting. While the official date is currently listed as July 6, it may shift to July 7 if the moon is not sighted in time. Closures on Muharram Observance On the day of observance, schools, colleges, government offices, post offices, and many private offices across India will remain closed. The public holiday applies to most regions of the country and is recognized as a day of national significance. Banks and financial institutions will also shut operations on the day of Muharram, affecting public banking services. Citizens are advised to complete essential transactions ahead of time. Stock Markets and Commodity Exchanges Closed Both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) will remain closed for trading on Muharram. The suspension will affect all segments, including equity, equity derivatives, SLB (Securities Lending and Borrowing), currency derivatives, and interest rate derivatives. The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) will remain shut during the morning session on the day of Muharram. However, trading will resume in the evening session from 5:00 PM to 11:30/11:55 PM. Significance of Muharram in Islam Muharram is one of the four sacred months in the Islamic calendar. The 10th day, known as Ashura, is particularly significant for Shia Muslims, who mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.


Novaya Gazeta Europe
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Novaya Gazeta Europe
Chechnya hosts official wedding celebration of youngest Kadyrov son — Novaya Gazeta Europe
Celebrations are underway in Chechnya to mark the official wedding of Adam Kadyrov, the 17-year-old and youngest son of Chechen head Ramzan Kadyrov, Novaya Gazeta Europe has learned. The celebration was timed to coincide with the first day of the month of Muharram, with Thursday marking the start of the Islamic New Year. Invitees included high-ranking dignitaries from the Middle East. A source in the Russian Foreign Ministry told Novaya Europe that the UAE's Ambassador to Russia, Dr. Mohamed Ahmad Al Jaber, had interrupted his vacation in Abu Dhabi to fly to the Chechen capital Grozny on Friday to congratulate Kadyrov's third son. Kadyrov's daughter, Aishat Kadyrova, confirmed that the family was celebrating Adam's wedding in a series of Instagram stories posted on Friday. According to Novaya Europe sources, preparations for the official wedding ceremony began months ago, with the Chechen authorities aiming to make the wedding a grand event on the political stage too. However, the wedding has had to be postponed at least once. According to a Novaya Europe source familiar with the situation, this was primarily due to attempts by Ramzan Kadyrov to arrange a private audience between Vladimir Putin and his youngest son. Adam Kadyrov reportedly entered into an Islamic marriage with the daughter of Chechen senator Suleyman Geremeyev on 8 June 2024, the same day his brother Zelimkhan married. Novaya Europe reported at the time that Putin had welcomed both of Kadyrov's eldest sons, Akhmat and Zelimkhan, to the Kremlin ahead of their marriages in 2023 and 2024. However, according to Novaya Europe sources, Kadyrov was unsuccessful in arranging a private audience for Adam, who was 16 at the time, in the Kremlin, likely due to his young age. It is thought the pressure to marry the Kadyrov sons off so early was down to their father's poor state of health, a source told Novaya Europe. The Chechen authorities have only confirmed that the wedding of the second Kadyrov son, Zelimkhan, who had received Putin's blessing, had gone ahead to the granddaughter of Adam Delimkhanov, the State Duma deputy for Chechnya.


Shafaq News
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Al-Hakim to US: Iraq won't fight others' wars
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraqi political leader Ammar al-Hakim said Friday that Baghdad has repeatedly informed the United States of its firm stance against being drawn into regional conflicts, stressing that Iraq seeks peace and will not serve as a proxy in Middle East wars. Speaking during a speech marking the first day of Muharram (the beginning of the Islamic New Year), al-Hakim, head of Al-Hikma (Wisdom) Movement, stated, 'Iraq has conveyed to the US administration multiple times that it is a sovereign state that advocates peace in the region and does not wish to be part of any war or conflict, nor a source of threat to any country.' He added that Iraq rejects external pressures or mandates that contradict its national will and the interests of its people. Turning to Iraq's upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for November 11, al-Hakim urged Iraqi youth to participate actively, emphasizing that the country 'is in urgent need of their engagement.'


Time of India
20 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Dubai launches citywide 4 day work week for government employees: Will the private sector follow?
Dubai government employees will enjoy a four-day work week starting July 1, 2025. The 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative aims to boost work-life balance. This follows a successful pilot program in 2024. Employees will be divided into two groups with slightly different schedules. Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi says this reflects Dubai's commitment to employee well-being. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What is Dubai's 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative? Who is eligible for the 4 day week in Dubai? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why is Dubai implementing a 4-day work week? What about private sector workers? This Islamic New Year brings a summer gift to government employees in Dubai , a rare perk that a tiny percentage of people enjoy worldwide. Starting July 1, 2025, government employees in Dubai will shift to a four-day work week or reduced summer hours under the 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative. The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) launches this to improve work-life balance and productivity, and it will run until September 12, flexible work hour announcement is followed by a successful pilot program launched in 2024. This announcement comes amid a global wave of interest in four-day work and companies in countries like Japan, the UK, Iceland, Australia, and Canada have already implemented or piloted reduced working hours, with many reporting improvements in employee retention, mental health, and overall initiative, introduced by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR), is to create a better work environment for public sector employees during the summer the reduced working hours, employee well-being increases, productivity increases, and workers can spend more time with their families, especially during the school year's pilot involved 21 government entities and reportedly led to higher levels of employee satisfaction, happiness, and flexible work policy applies to all employees of Dubai government entities. However, the work schedules will vary slightly, depending on which group an employee is placed employees will be divided into two groups with the following options:In Group 1, employees work from Monday to Thursday for 8 hours daily, with Friday off, for a total of 32 work 2nd Group works 7 hours per day from Monday to Thursday and 4.5 hours on Friday, for a total of 32.5 hours per to Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director-General of DGHR, the move reflects Dubai's ongoing commitment to creating a people-centric government that balances institutional efficiency with employee well-being.'This initiative demonstrates our firm commitment to enhancing the government work environment, making it more adaptable and responsive to the needs of employees and the community,' he initiative also aligns with the UAE's 'Year of Community', which aims to reinforce family ties and overall social the 4-day work week and reduced hours apply only to public sector employees. However, there is growing support for expanding flexible work policies to the private a white paper released in January and a government survey, Dubai officials pointed out that broader adoption of remote work and flexible hours could help ease traffic congestion and improve there are no signs of the government officially introducing an immediate remote working policy or reduced working hours, this suggests the government's preference for such a policy if it is implemented in the study also found that a hybrid model, which combines a centralized workplace with a work-from-home option, enhances productivity, inclusivity, and employee it revealed that companies adopting a remote work policy can attract a broader pool of candidates, including those with at-home caregiving responsibilities or individuals limited by their proximity to an office.


The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
President Sheikh Mohamed holds talks with President of Iraq
President Sheikh Mohamed on Friday received a phone call from Abdul Latif Rashid, President of Iraq. The two men discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and stressed the importance of enhancing dialogue to find diplomatic solutions to regional issues, state news agency Wam reported. Sheikh Mohamed highlighted the importance of consolidating peace, maintaining security and stability, while Mr Rashid stressed the same. They also discussed the possibility of developing joint action between the UAE and Iraq, before exchanging seasonal greetings for the Islamic New Year. It comes as the Emirates joins the Muslim world in celebrating what is known as Hijri New Year, which heralds the beginning of Muharram, the first of 12 months on the Islamic calendar. On Thursday, Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X: "Congratulations to the people of the UAE and Muslims everywhere on the occasion of Hijri New Year. "I pray that the year ahead brings lasting peace and stability to the region and the world, and advances progress and prosperity for all." Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also said he hoped the start of the new year would bring "peace, stability and prosperity" in a message on X.