Holiday declared in Oman on Prophet’s (PBUH) birthday

Muscat: A public holiday has been declared on the occasion of the Prophet’s (PBUH) birthday on December 12, 2016.
Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal bin Saud Al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court and Chairman of the Civil Service Council, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri, the Minister of Manpower yesterday issued a decision as per which Monday, 12th Rabee Al Awwal, 1438 AH, corresponding to December 12 will be an official holiday for employees of the ministries, public authorities and other departments of the state administrative apparatus on the occasion of the Holy Prophet’s Birthday (PBUH).
The announcement said: “On the occasion of the Holy Prophet’s Birthday (PBUH), Monday, 12th Rabee Al Awwal, 1438 AH corresponding to December 12, 2016, will be an official holiday for the employees of the ministries, public authorities and other departments of the state administrative apparatus.”
Sayyid Khalid extended heartfelt greetings to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on this happy occasion, praying to the Almighty to protect His Majesty and grant him good health, happiness and a long life and for the return of this and similar occasions on His Majesty for many more years to come. He also wished the Omani people and the dear country further progress and welfare under the wise leadership of His Majesty, and wished all Muslims prosperity
and blessings.
The decision allows employers and employees to come to an agreement regarding work arrangements during the holiday if such a need arises. Employees, whose weekly off-days coincide with this occasion, shall be compensated. Travel agents and tour operators have said they would not gain much from this holiday as it falls in the middle of
the week.
“However, many people would take Sunday off and enjoy a four-day weekend starting from Thursday,” Lohithakshan Kizhakkayil, a travel consultant at the New Star International Travel and Tours LLC, said.
But hoteliers are expecting a lot of guests from the UAE who may come down to Oman.
“In the last week of November, around 32,000 tourists entered Oman through three border points to enjoy the beauty of the Sultanate. We are expecting a lot of guests this weekend also from the UAE,” an in-bound tourism expert in Oman said.
All employees in the private sector extended heartfelt greetings to His Majesty the Sultan on this blessed occasion.