From 1 September 2006 the UAE"s official weekend will be Friday and Saturday. All public sector establishments as well as government and private schools will adopt the new weekend in place of the present Thursday-Friday.
The decision was taken by the Cabinet in line with the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The decision will apply to all federal and government organisations as well as schools from September 1.
The move was proposed to the Cabinet earlier by Dr. Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka"abi, Minister of Labour. A study conducted by the National Human Resources Development and Employment Authority (Tanmia) showed it would boost the stock markets, banks, insurance companies and the UAE"s foreign trade. It would also help to increase private sector business activity and reduce losses from the long interruption caused by the difference between the UAE"s weekend and the rest of the world.
Holiday: Arab countries
Saudi Arabia: Thursday-Friday
Kuwait: Thursday-Friday
Bahrain: Thursday-Friday
Qatar: Friday-Saturday
Oman: Thursday-Friday
Jordan: Friday-Saturday
Syria: Friday-Saturday
Egypt: Thursday-Friday
Lebanon: Saturday-Sunday