As the year 2025 approaches, Jordan is preparing for a variety of official holidays that celebrate both religious and national occasions. This guide serves as a comprehensive reference for individuals and institutions looking to organize work, study, travel, and family gatherings throughout the year.
The New Year’s Day will kick off on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, marking the start of the year with a public holiday across the country. Following this, the celebration of Eid al-Fitr will take place from Sunday, March 30, 2025, to Tuesday, April 1, 2025, allowing families to come together in festive spirit after the holy month of Ramadan.
April will also witness the observance of Easter, with Palm Sunday on April 20, 2025, followed by Easter Monday on April 21, 2025, providing another opportunity for religious reflection and celebration.
Labor Day will be celebrated on Thursday, May 1, 2025, a day dedicated to honoring the contributions of workers in various sectors. Shortly after, Jordan’s Independence Day will be commemorated on Sunday, May 25, 2025, marking the anniversary of the United Nations' recognition of Jordan as an independent sovereign kingdom on May 25, 1946.
The festival of Eid al-Adha is expected to begin on Friday, June 6, 2025, and will continue until Tuesday, June 10, 2025. This holiday is significant for Muslims worldwide as it commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.
As summer approaches, the Hijri year 1447 is anticipated to commence on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Additionally, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad will be celebrated on Saturday, September 5, 2025, a day of great importance in the Islamic calendar.
As the year progresses, Christmas will be celebrated on Thursday, December 25, 2025, allowing Christian communities in Jordan to observe this significant occasion.
In terms of academic calendars, the school year in Jordan will start on August 18, 2024, and conclude on June 25, 2025. The academic schedule will include breaks for significant holidays, ensuring that students have time off to celebrate these important occasions.
For public schools, the academic year will feature a winter break from January 6 to January 16, 2025, and a spring break coinciding with Eid al-Fitr from March 30 to April 2, 2025. Labor Day on May 1 and Independence Day on May 25 will also be public holidays, allowing students and staff to observe these events.
Private schools will operate on a slightly different schedule, with the school year beginning on September 1, 2024, and ending on June 19, 2025. They will also observe the same major holidays, including Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Eid al-Fitr.
For Christian students, additional holidays include Christmas on December 25, 2024, and Orthodox Christmas on January 7, 2025, as well as other religious observances such as Palm Sunday on April 13, 2025, and Easter from April 20 to April 24, 2025.
Meanwhile, in Egypt, preparations are underway for the implementation of daylight saving time, as per Law No. 24 of 2023, which was ratified by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on April 16, 2023. This law aims to rationalize electricity consumption by making better use of daylight during the summer months.
The application of daylight saving time will involve advancing the clock by 60 minutes starting from the last Friday of April, specifically on April 25, 2025. This means that at midnight on that day, the clock will move forward, effectively making it one o’clock in the morning.
The rationale behind this change is to reduce reliance on artificial lighting, thus promoting energy savings and enhancing productivity across various sectors, especially in large institutions. The Council of Ministers has highlighted the economic benefits that come with this adjustment, as it aims to cut down electricity consumption in homes and businesses.
For those wondering how to adjust their clocks, the process is straightforward. For iPhone users, simply open the Settings app, navigate to General, select Date & Time, and activate the "Set Automatically" option. Android users can achieve this by going to Settings, selecting Additional settings, and then Date & Time to enable the automatic update feature.
As Jordan and Egypt prepare for their respective holidays and time changes, individuals and families are encouraged to plan ahead. These occasions not only provide a break from routine but also foster community and family bonds, making them an integral part of life in both countries.
In summary, 2025 promises to be a year filled with important holidays and observances in Jordan, alongside significant changes in Egypt regarding daylight saving time. These events serve as reminders of cultural heritage and the importance of community, providing opportunities for reflection, celebration, and connection.
