Which Countries Have a Friday-Saturday Weekend in the Arab World?

30-12-2024

The structure of the weekend plays a crucial role in the daily lives of people around the world. While countries worldwide may vary in the specific days they observe as part of the weekend, the Arab world has a unique system influenced by religious and cultural practices. In many parts of the Arab world, the weekend does not follow the typical Saturday-Sunday schedule, but instead is centered around Friday and Saturday. This system reflects the importance of Friday in Islamic culture, a day dedicated to congregational prayers and rest.

In this blog post, we will explore which countries in the Arab world follow a Friday-Saturday weekend and how it affects various aspects of life, including work, education, and social activities. We’ll also highlight the reasons behind these differences and the impact of such a weekend structure on economic and cultural practices.

Understanding the Friday-Saturday Weekend in the Arab World

Before diving into the specifics of which countries follow this weekend structure, it’s essential to understand why the Friday-Saturday weekend is preferred in many Arab nations. In Islam, Friday is considered a day of prayer and reflection. Muslims gather for Jumu'ah, the Friday congregational prayer, which is a key aspect of religious observance. Therefore, the concept of a Friday-Saturday weekend allows individuals to fully participate in religious activities while also providing them with time to relax and enjoy family gatherings.

For this reason, most Arab countries observe Friday as a day of rest and give employees and students the day off. Saturday is usually added to create a two-day weekend. This system not only accommodates religious practices but also ensures that individuals have sufficient time to unwind and spend quality time with their families.

Countries in the Arab World with a Friday-Saturday Weekend

Here’s a breakdown of the Arab World countries that follow the Friday-Saturday weekend:

1. Egypt

Egypt has traditionally followed a Friday-Saturday weekend, where Friday is reserved for prayers and religious observances, while Saturday is a day of rest. While many private companies have started adopting a Thursday half-day to better align with global businesses, Friday-Saturday remains the weekend in the public sector.

Weekend: The Weekend in Egypt is Friday and Saturday

2. Algeria

Algeria had a Thursday-Friday weekend for many years but shifted to a Friday-Saturday weekend in 2009 to align more closely with neighboring countries. This change aimed to improve the nation’s connection to global trade and banking days.

Weekend: The Weekend in Algeria is Friday and Saturday

3. Morocco

Historically, Morocco followed a Friday-Saturday weekend, but in 2011, the government shifted to a Saturday-Sunday weekend to synchronize better with the international working schedule. Despite this, Friday continues to hold cultural significance, with businesses typically closing for Jumu'ah prayers.

Weekend: Weekend in Morocco is Saturday and Sunday (formerly Friday and Saturday)

4. Iraq

Iraq observes the Friday-Saturday weekend. The weekend structure aligns with the Islamic traditions, where Friday is a day of worship, and Saturday is a day of rest before the workweek begins on Sunday.

Weekend: Weekend in Iraq is Friday and Saturday

5. Jordan

Jordan has a Friday-Saturday weekend, but its official workweek runs from Sunday to Thursday. The structure provides Friday for religious practices, while Saturday is the day to relax before the week begins.

Weekend: Weekend in Jordan is Friday and Saturday

6. Libya

In 2006, Libya shifted from a Thursday-Friday weekend to a Friday-Saturday weekend. The country now observes Friday for religious purposes, and Saturday is a rest day before the workweek starts.

Weekend: Weekend in Libya is Friday and Saturday

7. Tunisia

Tunisia initially followed a Friday-Saturday weekend, but in 2021, the country switched back to a Monday-Friday workweek, with Friday still considered a day of rest and prayer.

Weekend: Weekend in Tunisia is Saturday and Sunday (Previously, Friday and Saturday)

8. Bahrain

Bahrain follows the Friday-Saturday weekend, with Friday as the main day for religious observances. Saturday is also a day of rest before the workweek begins on Sunday.

Weekend: Weekend in Bahrain is Friday and Saturday

9. Kuwait

Like other countries in the Gulf region, Kuwait also follows the Friday-Saturday weekend. Friday is designated for religious practices, while Saturday is the second day of rest before Sunday, the first day of the workweek.

Weekend: Weekend in Kuwait is Friday and Saturday

10. Oman

Oman has adopted the Friday-Saturday weekend, with Friday serving as a religious day and Saturday as a day of rest. The official workweek begins on Sunday and ends on Thursday.

Weekend: Weekend in Oman is Friday and Saturday

Other Gulf Countries with Friday-Saturday Weekends

Countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) follow the Friday-Saturday weekend pattern as well. These countries include:

Qatar: Friday-Saturday weekend.

United Arab Emirates (UAE): Historically, the UAE followed the Friday-Saturday weekend. However, in 2022, the UAE government shifted its weekend to Saturday-Sunday to align with international business practices.

Countries that Have Recently Changed Weekend Structures

While the Friday-Saturday weekend has been widely observed across the Arab World, several countries have shifted to Saturday-Sunday weekends to align better with global business practices and improve their competitiveness in the international market.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE made a landmark decision in 2021 to move to a Saturday-Sunday weekend, officially transitioning in 2022. This change was introduced to better align the country with the global economy, reduce the gap between the UAE and other international markets, and boost its competitiveness.
Weekend: Saturday and Sunday (Shifted from Friday-Saturday)
Saudi Arabia
In 2013, Saudi Arabia made a shift from a Thursday-Friday weekend to a Friday-Saturday weekend. This was done to help the country better synchronize its business activities with global markets and enhance international economic engagement.
Weekend: Friday and Saturday (Shifted from Thursday-Friday)
Lebanon
Lebanon is unique in that it adopted a Saturday-Sunday weekend in 2017 to synchronize its working hours with international standards. However, it has a more complex public sector workweek that accommodates various religious observances, including different hours for Muslim and Christian communities.
Weekend: Saturday and Sunday

Managing Leave with TimeChart

Managing leave types, including annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, and other types of leave, can be a complex task for both employers and employees in the Middle East. To streamline the process and ensure accuracy in leave tracking, businesses in the middle east are increasingly turning to TimeChart, a time attendance system that offers powerful tools for managing employee attendance and leave requests.

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The TimeChart system allows employees to submit leave requests online, and supervisors can approve or deny these requests within the system. It also integrates with biometric time attendance systems, ensuring that all leave records are linked to accurate clock-in and clock-out data, making it simpler for businesses to comply with labor laws.

Additionally, TimeChart provides detailed reports, allowing employers to monitor leave patterns, track employee absences, and ensure compliance with labor laws and company policies.

Read more about types of Leaves in UAE Labour Law: Annual Leave in UAE

How Timechart Can Help Businesses, Employees, and Managers

Timechart offers a range of tools and features designed to streamline workforce management. Its user-friendly interface and smart functionalities provide significant benefits for businesses, employees, and managers alike. Let’s explore how Timechart simplifies attendance tracking, unpaid leave management, and overall employee engagement.

Benefits for Businesses

Efficient Leave Management:
- Timechart automates leave tracking, making it easy to manage unpaid leave, annual leave, and sick leave.
- Businesses can ensure compliance with Labour Laws, reducing legal risks.
Accurate Attendance Tracking:
- Timechart’s biometric attendance system eliminates manual errors and provides real-time updates on employee attendance.
- Mobile time attendance capabilities ensure remote and on-site employees are accounted for.
Improved Compliance:
- Built-in features help employers stay updated with labour law requirements, including Hajj leave, extended sick leave, and maternity leave policies.
- Customized reports ensure accurate records for audits or inspections.
Cost Savings:
- Automating processes reduces the need for manual administration, saving time and resources.
- Detailed analytics provide insights into employee productivity and absenteeism trends, helping businesses optimize their workforce.

Benefits for Employees

Transparency in Leave Tracking:
- Employees can easily apply for unpaid leave and monitor their leave balances using the Timechart app.
- Automated notifications ensure they are updated on the status of their leave requests.
Flexibility for Remote Work:
- Timechart’s mobile features enable employees to log attendance from anywhere, ensuring seamless workflow for remote or hybrid teams.
Access to Records:
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Stress-Free Compliance:
- With clear visibility into labour law-compliant leave policies, employees feel secure and confident in their entitlements.

Benefits for Managers

Centralized Management:
- Managers can oversee attendance, unpaid leave, and sick leave requests from a single dashboard.
- Real-time updates allow managers to make informed decisions quickly.
Improved Productivity:
- With attendance data and leave patterns readily available, managers can allocate tasks effectively, avoiding understaffing or overburdening employees.
Enhanced Communication:
- Timechart bridges communication gaps by enabling direct updates on leave approvals, attendance discrepancies, or schedule changes.
Performance Insights:
- Analytics and reports generated by Timechart provide a clear picture of employee performance, enabling proactive management.

Additional Benefits

Customizable Policies:
- Timechart allows businesses to customize leave and attendance policies based on their unique needs while remaining compliant with laws.
Cloud-Based Accessibility:
- As a cloud-based platform, Timechart ensures secure access to data from anywhere, promoting flexibility and scalability.
Integration with Payroll:
- Timechart integrates seamlessly with payroll systems, ensuring accurate calculation of unpaid leave deductions and other benefits.
Enhanced Employee Engagement:
- By reducing administrative burdens and improving communication, Timechart fosters a more engaged and motivated workforce.

Why Choose Timechart?

Timechart’s advanced yet simple tools are designed to meet the unique needs of businesses in the Middle East. It ensures compliance with local labour laws, enhances operational efficiency, and promotes transparency at every level. Whether managing unpaid leave, streamlining attendance tracking, or improving employee satisfaction, Timechart stands out as an invaluable tool for modern workforce management.

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Impact of the Weekend Shift on the Economy

The shift in weekend days in the Arab World, especially in countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, has had a significant impact on the economic competitiveness of these nations. By aligning their weekend with global business hours, these countries have made it easier for international companies to conduct business, reduce downtime, and boost productivity. Additionally, Saturday-Sunday weekends help to streamline communication, especially in industries such as banking, finance, and technology.

The UAE's move to a Saturday-Sunday weekend was particularly groundbreaking. By aligning with the global workweek, the UAE has positioned itself as an even more attractive destination for international business and trade, enhancing its status as a global economic hub.

Conclusion

The Friday-Saturday weekend remains the standard in several countries across the Arab World and MENA regions, including Egypt, Algeria, Jordan, and Iraq. However, several countries, including the UAE, have transitioned to the Saturday-Sunday weekend to enhance their global competitiveness and better align with international markets. The change in weekend days reflects the evolving nature of the region’s economy and its increasing focus on business efficiency and global integration.

Understanding the weekend structure in these countries is essential for businesses, expatriates, and travelers, as it affects everything from working hours to public holidays. Whether you are a business owner, an employee, or a traveler, knowing the weekend structure can help you better plan your activities and expectations when engaging with the Arab World and MENA regions.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is intended to offer a general overview of the weekend practices in various countries in the Arab world. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and up-to-date nature of the content, there may be inaccuracies, errors, or changes in the official working schedules, public holidays, and weekend policies that have occurred after the publication date. It is always advisable to cross-check the details with official government sources, local authorities, or updated legal frameworks for the most accurate and current information. The author and website do not assume any responsibility or liability for any discrepancies or consequences resulting from the use of this content. Please verify any specific country-related information through official channels.

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