Holiday For Isra Wal Miraj? Why Only Kuwait And Oman Approved It

Only two Gulf countries officially cleared a day off for Isra Wal Miraj in 2026, and that difference got noticed fast on social media and expat forums. The night marks the Prophet Muhammad’s journey to Jerusalem and ascension, and many communities observe it with prayers, lectures, and family visits. In official calendars, though, Kuwait and Oman stood out by fixing a public holiday on Sunday, January 18, 2026, creating a tidy long weekend. for more news updates, visit our Gulf Independent News page.

Why Only Kuwait And Oman Declared A Holiday

Kuwait’s Civil Service Commission announced the holiday for ministries and public bodies on January 18, with work resuming January 19. The timing matters: Isra Wal Miraj follows the Hijri calendar, so authorities sometimes move the day off to match administrative planning and weekends. The official notice was carried by Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

Quick chatter around the announcement focused on:

• long-weekend travel plans
• school and bank schedules
• last-minute HR circulars, especially for mixed public-private teams

Read more: A Delicious Journey Through Iconic Saudi Sweets of Ramadan

Oman’s Calendar-First Approach, And Why Neighbours Stayed Quiet

Oman confirmed January 18 in its 2026 holiday list, part of a push to publish dates early so offices and businesses can plan ahead. The update was shared by Oman News Agency and travelled widely online.

So why not the rest? Holiday lists differ, and some states have reduced paid religious holidays over time. The UAE, for example, removed Isra Wal Miraj as an official paid holiday in 2019 after aligning public and private sector holidays, and it remains off the calendar.