Middle East & North Africa Tactical: Mawlid to be observed across region from September 27-28; allot for disruptions

Sep 2023

8:57 UTC

Current Situation:

The Muslim holiday of Mawlid (Eid Milad un-Nabi) will be observed between September 27- 28 across countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The holiday commemorates the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad and will be observed by Muslims around the world.

Rules & Regulations:

In Algeria, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments announced that Mawlid will be observed on September 28.
In Bahrain, all public institutions and government offices will be closed to mark the occasion on September 27.
Egypt will observe an official holiday for Mawlid on September 28. Banks in the country, including the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) are expected to resume operations on October 1 after remaining closed on September 28-30. Meanwhile, a celebratory march to mark the occasion is slated to take place at an unspecified time on September 27 in central Cairo.
In Iraq, an official holiday commemorating the occasion will be observed on September 27 nationwide.
Public institutions in Jordan will reportedly remain closed to mark Mawlid on September 27. Exemptions will be made for certain institutions whose work does not permit their closure.
In Kuwait, public institutions and government offices will be closed for Mawlid on September 28.
In Lebanon, an official holiday for Mawlid will be observed on September 27.
In Libya, the Government of National Unity (GNU) announced a public sector holiday on September 27 for the occasion and stated that holidays observed by public servants on September 28 will be deducted from their annual leave allowances. Humanitarian and security services will continue to function as per normal.
According to an unconfirmed report, Mawlid will be observed in Morocco on September 28.
In Oman, all public and private institutions are slated to close for Mawlid on September 28. However, the Ministry of Labour permitted the private sector to make arrangements for employees to work on the day if deemed necessary and if they are compensated for the holiday.
According to the Palestinian Authority, a public holiday will be observed to mark Mawlid on September 27.
In Tunisia, the government reportedly announced a holiday for Mawlid on September 27. All public and private institutions will remain closed.
In the UAE, the government announced a holiday for the public and private sectors to mark Mawlid on September 29. Public and private institutions are likely to remain closed during the period. The Department of Human Resources in Sharjah reportedly declared a four-day holiday from September 28-October 1.

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing across the Middle East & North Africa region between September 27- October 1 are advised to allot for disruptions to business continuity during the Mawlid holiday as a result of partial or complete closures of public offices and private businesses.
It is advised to allot additional time for travel and practice heightened vigilance, especially in the vicinity of places of worship and in areas frequented by large crowds.

Middle East & North Africa

Low

Confirmed

Current Situation:

The Muslim holiday of Mawlid (Eid Milad un-Nabi) will be observed between September 27- 28 across countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The holiday commemorates the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad and will be observed by Muslims around the world.

Rules & Regulations:

In Algeria, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments announced that Mawlid will be observed on September 28.
In Bahrain, all public institutions and government offices will be closed to mark the occasion on September 27.
Egypt will observe an official holiday for Mawlid on September 28. Banks in the country, including the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) are expected to resume operations on October 1 after remaining closed on September 28-30. Meanwhile, a celebratory march to mark the occasion is slated to take place at an unspecified time on September 27 in central Cairo.
In Iraq, an official holiday commemorating the occasion will be observed on September 27 nationwide.
Public institutions in Jordan will reportedly remain closed to mark Mawlid on September 27. Exemptions will be made for certain institutions whose work does not permit their closure.
In Kuwait, public institutions and government offices will be closed for Mawlid on September 28.
In Lebanon, an official holiday for Mawlid will be observed on September 27.
In Libya, the Government of National Unity (GNU) announced a public sector holiday on September 27 for the occasion and stated that holidays observed by public servants on September 28 will be deducted from their annual leave allowances. Humanitarian and security services will continue to function as per normal.
According to an unconfirmed report, Mawlid will be observed in Morocco on September 28.
In Oman, all public and private institutions are slated to close for Mawlid on September 28. However, the Ministry of Labour permitted the private sector to make arrangements for employees to work on the day if deemed necessary and if they are compensated for the holiday.
According to the Palestinian Authority, a public holiday will be observed to mark Mawlid on September 27.
In Tunisia, the government reportedly announced a holiday for Mawlid on September 27. All public and private institutions will remain closed.
In the UAE, the government announced a holiday for the public and private sectors to mark Mawlid on September 29. Public and private institutions are likely to remain closed during the period. The Department of Human Resources in Sharjah reportedly declared a four-day holiday from September 28-October 1.

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing across the Middle East & North Africa region between September 27- October 1 are advised to allot for disruptions to business continuity during the Mawlid holiday as a result of partial or complete closures of public offices and private businesses.
It is advised to allot additional time for travel and practice heightened vigilance, especially in the vicinity of places of worship and in areas frequented by large crowds.

Middle East & North Africa

Low

Confirmed