The UAE's leaders have congratulated Arab and Islamic leaders on the advent of the Hijri New Year.
In a tweet on Friday night, the country's Federal Authority for Government Human Resources announced that August 31 is Muharram 1, 1441.
President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent cables to kings, presidents and emirs in the region to mark the occasion.
Meanwhile His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, also dispatched similar greetings on the occasion.