Iraq Travel Guide - Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Army Day.
10 Jan Islamic New Year.
8 Feb Ramadan Revolution. 
19 Jan Ashura. 
20 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad).
17 Apr FAO Day.
1 May Labour Day.
14 Jul National Day.
17 Jul Republic Day.
8 Aug Ceasefire Day (End of Iran-Iraq War). 
2 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
9 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
29 Dec Islamic New Year.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Army Day.
8 Feb Ramadan Revolution. 
7 Jan Ashura. 
9 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad).
17 Apr FAO Day.
1 May Labour Day.
14 Jul National Day.
17 Jul Republic Day.
8 Aug Ceasefire Day (End of Iran-Iraq War). 
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
29 Dec Islamic New Year.

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.