Oman Travel Guide - Public Holidays

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

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
10 Jan Muharram (Islamic New Year).
20 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
30 Jul Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet). 
2 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
18 Nov National Day and birthday of HM Sultan Qaboos. 
9 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). 
29 Dec Islamic New Year.

2009
1 Jan Ras as-Sana (Islamic New Year).
9 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
23 July  Renaissance Day (Marking the start of the reign of Sultan Qaboos).
20 Jul Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet). 
22 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
18 Nov National Day and birthday of HM Sultan Qaboos. 
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).

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. Restaurants are closed during the day and smoking and drinking in public is forbidden between dawn and dusk, although discreet provisions are made for guests in most hotels. Many shops are closed for a day or two during the Eid holidays. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha last from two to 7 days depending largely on what day of the week Eid begins.