Govt employees to enjoy 3-day holiday

Government employees across the country are set to enjoy a three-day holiday this week, as the holy Ashura will commence on Sunday (July 6), aligning with the regular weekend.

According to the official government holiday calendar, Ashura — observed on the 10th of Muharram — is a public holiday this year. With Friday (July 4) and Saturday (July 5) being the regular weekly holidays, officials and employees of government institutions will receive an extended break from Friday through Sunday.

The holiday will also apply to all semi-government, autonomous, and private institutions. As a result, operations in banks, insurance companies, and stock markets will remain suspended during this three-day period.

The observance of Ashura commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and is marked with mourning and religious rituals by the Muslim community, particularly among Shia Muslims.