Public holidays in Palestine

Public holidays in Palestine.

Holidays

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Date English name Arabic name
1 January New Year's Day رأس السنة الميلادية
Ras Assanah al-Miladi
7 January Christmas Day (Orthodox) عيد الميلاد
Eid al-Milad
1 May Labour Day عيد العمال
Eid al-Ommal
15 November Independence Day يوم الاستقلال
Eid al-Istiklaal
25 December Christmas Day (Catholic) عيد الميلاد
Eid al-Milad
1 Muharram Islamic New Year أس السنة الهجرية
Ras Assanah al-Hijri
12 Rabi' al-Awwal The Prophet's Birthday المولد النبوي
Mawlid al-Nabi
27 Rajab The Prophet's Ascension الإسراء والمعراج
Isra' and Mi'raj
1 Shawwal Eid al-Fitr عيد الفطر
Eid al-Fitr
10 Dhul Hijja Eid al-Adha عيد الأضحى
Eid al-Adha

Ottoman Palestine

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Mandatory Palestine

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In Mandatory Palestine, the weekly holiday was observed on Sunday by the Palestine Government, reflecting the Christian influence of the British administration. However, the diverse religious demographics of the region meant that different communities observed their sabbath on different days. For Muslims, the sabbath was Friday, while Jews observed Saturday as their holy day, and Christians continued to observe Sunday. This arrangement allowed for some flexibility in commercial and social activities, as businesses and individuals could choose their day of rest based on their religious practices. [1][2]

Several significant Islamic holidays were observed in Mandatory Palestine, reflecting the region's majority Muslim population. The Nabi Musa festival, which commemorates the Prophet Moses, was one of the most prominent and involved large gatherings and processions. Additionally, Muslims celebrated the major Islamic holidays of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, commemorating the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The Mawlid, celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, was another key religious observance.

Other Islamic observances included Islamic New Year's Day (Hijri New Year), marking the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar, and Isra Wal Miraj, which commemorates the night journey and ascension of the Prophet Muhammad. These events were marked by religious ceremonies, special prayers, and communal gatherings throughout the Muslim communities in Palestine.

These religious observances were integral to the cultural and social life of the Muslim population in Mandatory Palestine and contributed to the diverse and multi-religious environment of the region during the British mandate.

State of Palestine

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Stead, K. W. (1927). Palestine: Review of Commercial Conditions. OCLC 1770808.
  2. ^ Daphne Tsimhoni (1984). "The status of the Arab Christians under the British Mandate in Palestine". Middle Eastern Studies. 20 (4): 166–192. doi:10.1080/00263208408700605. ISSN 0026-3206. JSTOR 4283036. OCLC 9973944359. Wikidata Q124293747.