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Public holidays inPalestine.
| Date | English name | Arabic name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day | رأس السنة الميلادية Ras Assanah al-Miladi |
| 7 January | Christmas Day (Orthodox) | عيد الميلاد Eid al-Milad |
| 1 May | Labour Day | عيد العمال Eid al-Ommal |
| 15 November | Independence Day | يوم الاستقلال Eid al-Istiklaal |
| 25 December | Christmas Day (Catholic) | عيد الميلاد Eid al-Milad |
| 1Muharram | Islamic New Year | أس السنة الهجرية Ras Assanah al-Hijri |
| 12Rabi' al-Awwal | The Prophet's Birthday | المولد النبوي Mawlid al-Nabi |
| 27Rajab | The Prophet's Ascension | الإسراء والمعراج Isra' and Mi'raj |
| 1Shawwal | Eid al-Fitr | عيد الفطر Eid al-Fitr |
| 10Dhul Hijja | Eid al-Adha | عيد الأضحى Eid al-Adha |
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In the Ottoman Empire, each non-Muslim religious group had its own community called millet, which were self-governing. These communities had their own court systems, languages, and religious practices.[1] The government made convenants with these religious communities, ensuring their freedom to worship, and their access to religious buildings. They provided security and healthcare for pilgrims, and stockpiled food before holidays, such as Easter, a holiday that usually resulted in a large influx of pilgrims. They also, however, increased surveillance, worried that holidays might provoke nationalist sentiment.[2]
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In Mandatory Palestine, the weekly holiday was observed on Sunday by the Palestine Government, reflecting the Christian influence of the British administration. However, the diverse religious demographics of the region meant that different communities observed their sabbath on different days. For Muslims, the sabbath was Friday, while Jews observed Saturday as their holy day, and Christians continued to observe Sunday. This arrangement allowed for some flexibility in commercial and social activities, as businesses and individuals could choose their day of rest based on their religious practices.[3][4]
Several significant Islamic holidays were observed in Mandatory Palestine, reflecting the region's majority Muslim population. The Nabi Musa festival, which commemorates the Prophet Moses, was one of the most prominent and involved large gatherings and processions. Additionally, Muslims celebrated the major Islamic holidays of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, commemorating the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The Mawlid, celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, was another key religious observance.
Other Islamic observances included Islamic New Year's Day (Hijri New Year), marking the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar, and Isra Wal Miraj, which commemorates the night journey and ascension of the Prophet Muhammad. These events were marked by religious ceremonies, special prayers, and communal gatherings throughout the Muslim communities in Palestine.
These religious observances were integral to the cultural and social life of the Muslim population in Mandatory Palestine and contributed to the diverse and multi-religious environment of the region during the British mandate.
