Hotels and restaurants across Dubai will be dry from this evening for 25 hours as a mark of respect for Islamic New Year.

Venues across the city will be dry from 6pm today (Monday September 10) until Tuesday at 7pm, with live entertainment also halted.

The announcement has been made by Dubai Tourism following the declaration of a public holiday for Al Hijri.

A three-day weekend has been announced for the private sector in the UAE to celebrate the occasion.

Workers will get a holiday on Thursday September 13 to celebrate Hijri.

The day off was declared by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation following a similar announcement for the public sector.

Normal hours will resume on Sunday September 16 following the holiday.

The first day of the Islamic New Year will be announced in due course dependent on moon sighting.

The important occasion of Hijri is traditionally a time for Muslims to reflect on their faith.