Public Holidays in Mauritania
Summary:The article provides an overview of major public holidays in Mauritania, including both fixed-date celebrations and Islamic holidays subject to the lunar calendar, along with estimated dates for the year 2025.
Major public holidays:
New Year's Day: January 1st - Celebrates the beginning of a new year.
International Workers' Day: May 1st - Celebrates labor and the achievements of
the working class.
African Unity Day: May 25th - Commemorates the founding of the Organization of
African Unity (now the African Union).
Eid al-Fitr: Marks the end of Ramadan. The exact date varies each year based on
the Islamic lunar calendar.
Eid al-Adha: Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, it is one of the most
important Islamic holidays. The exact date varies each year based on the Islamic lunar calendar.
Islamic New Year: Marks the beginning of a new year according to the Islamic
calendar.
Mawlid: The Prophet Muhammad's birthday. The exact date varies each year based
on the Islamic lunar calendar.
Independence Day: November 28th - Celebrates Mauritania's independence from France.
Working Hours
Standard Working Days: Sunday to Thursday.
Weekend: Friday.
Ramadan Working Hours: During Ramadan, working hours are adjusted to 9 AM to 5
PM, and 9 AM to 12 PM on Fridays.
Exemptions: The military, police, hospitals, clinics, and schools are exempt from the Ramadan working hour adjustments.
Special Holidays
Independence Day: November 28, celebrates Mauritania's independence from French
colonial rule.
Nour: Berber traditional harvest festival, date is not fixed, usually in
spring.
Timjad: Traditional camel trading festival, date is not fixed, usually in winter.
Estimated Public Holidays for 2025
Fixed Dates:
New Year's Day: January 1st
International Workers' Day: May 1st
African Unity Day: May 25th
Independence Day: November 28th
Islamic Holidays (Approximate Dates):
Eid al-Fitr: Between April 12th and 13th, 2025 (depending on moon sighting)
Eid al-Adha: Between August 1st and 2nd, 2025 (depending on moon sighting)
Islamic New Year: Between June 18th and 19th, 2025
Mawlid: Between October 27th and 28th, 2025
Holidays Operations
Working Hours: In Mauritania, the typical workweek is from Sunday to
Thursday. Friday is generally a day off.
Public Holidays: Public holidays include New Year's Day, May 1st (Labor
Day), May 25th (Africa Day), November 28th (Independence Day), and various Muslim holidays
such as Eid al-Fitr (Eid), Eid al-Adha, Hijri New Year, and Mawlid.
Important Note: To ensure that your shipments or travel arrangements are not disrupted, it is advisable to contact shipping companies, airlines, freight forwarders, couriers, and logistics providers well in advance of public holidays to inquire about their specific working hours and any special arrangements they may have in place.