Laylat al-Mi'raj in Djibouti
In Djibouti, Laylat al-Mi'raj is recognized in law as a one-day public holiday under the name Al-Isra and Al-Mirague. The decree establishes its non-working, paid status. Check with services before you go.[1]
Legal status in Djibouti
Djibouti’s official gazette lists Al-Isra and Al-Mirague among the country’s “jours fériés, chômés et payés”: public holidays designated as non-working and paid. The decree identifies it as one day. The Labour Code says that public holidays are determined by law or regulation, and applies to employment relationships between workers and employers, with specified exceptions including permanent public-administration staff and security services.[1][2]
The cited holiday decree does not specify a substitute day when the holiday coincides with a weekly rest day. The calendar information for this page lists no substitute or observed day. The decree also does not give a separate rule for banks, shops, transport or particular public services.[1]
Date and religious meaning
The journey is associated with Rajab, though there is no unanimous view on its precise date.[3]
The name joins Isra, the Prophet Muhammad’s night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem, with Mi‘raj, his ascent through the heavens. The account is linked in Islamic scholarship to Qur’an 17:1; interpretations of whether the journey was physical or spiritual have been debated.[3]
What is known about observance
The holiday is recognized in law, but ceremonies and household customs are not specified.[1]
For residents and visitors, the grounded distinction is between the holiday’s national legal status and the many ways individuals may mark a religious occasion. The Institute’s account describes the journey’s place in Islamic thought and art, but does not document specific observances in Djibouti.[1][3]
Planning around the holiday
Because the decree classifies the occasion as non-working and paid, normal work arrangements may be affected. Its text does not provide a service-by-service list of closures or opening hours, so travelers should confirm arrangements directly with an office, bank, shop or transport provider before making plans.[1][2]
The reviewed decree does not set out a replacement-day rule. For the calendar on this page, no substitute or observed day is listed; check the relevant annual calendar for the date being planned.[1]
Frequently asked questions
Is Laylat al-Mi'raj a public holiday in Djibouti?
Yes. Djibouti’s official gazette lists Al-Isra and Al-Mirague as a one-day public holiday that is non-working and paid.[1]
When is Laylat al-Mi'raj observed?
The journey is associated with Rajab, though there is no unanimous view on its precise date.[3]
Are banks, shops and public transport closed?
Check directly with the service you plan to use for its opening hours.[1]
Are there specific Djiboutian foods or ceremonies?
No uniform Djiboutian ceremony or dish is specified for the holiday.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for Laylat al-Mi'raj in Djibouti:
- Arrêté n° 80-0931/PR portant rectificatif de l’arrêté n° 77-347/PR/MI du 4.10.1977 règlementant les jours fériés, chômés et payés en République de Djibouti. - eJO- Journal Officiel de la République de Djibouti
- Loi n° 133/AN/05/5ème L portant Code du Travail. - eJO- Journal Officiel de la République de Djibouti
- miʿrāj | The Institute of Ismaili Studies- The Institute of Ismaili Studies