Public Holidays
Public Holidays
Jan 1 2005 New Year’s Day. Jan 23 Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 9-10 Chinese New Year. Mar 25 Good Friday. May 2 Labour Day. May 23 Vesak (Birth of Buddha). Aug 9 National Day. Nov 1 Diwali. Nov 3-5 Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2006 New Year’s Day. Jan 10 Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice). Jan 28-30 Chinese New Year. Apr 14 Good Friday. May 1 Labour Day. May 13 Vesak (Birth of Buddha). Aug 9 National Day. Oct 21 Diwali. Oct 22-24 Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas Day.
Note
(a) Not all Muslim festivals listed above are national holidays, but all will affect Muslim businesses. 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 Hari Raya Puasa (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 Hari Raya Puasa itself. Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji (Eid al-Adha) may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the town. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix. (b) Hindu festivals are declared according to local astronomical observations and it is only possible to forecast the month of their occurrence.
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