New Year’s Day in Mauritania
In Mauritania, January 1 is a legal public holiday under the law that sets the country’s legal holidays. The law classifies legal holidays as paid non-working days, and it also allows the president to declare additional days off by decree in special circumstances.[1]
Legal status and time off
Mauritania’s Law 92.018, dated December 7, 1992, lists January 1 among the country’s legal holidays. The same list includes Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and Muharram, as well as the country’s national holiday and Labour Day. The Ministry of Public Service and Labour lists the law in its legislative texts.[1][2]
The law says legal holidays are paid non-working days. For a specific service, check its own opening arrangements.[1]
The date and the law’s provisions
The statute identifies the holiday by its fixed date, January 1. Its title dates the law to December 7, 1992.[1]
The statute also provides for additional days or parts of days to be declared holidays and non-working by presidential decree when special circumstances justify them. Any such decree must say whether the time off is to be recovered later or paid exceptionally. The law does not set an automatic replacement day when January 1 falls on a weekend.[1]
Observance and practical planning
The law does not prescribe family customs, public events, meals or regional traditions for New Year’s Day. Do not assume a single national observance or a customary dish for the date. What is established is the holiday’s legal status as a paid non-working day.[1]
Residents and travelers should check directly with government offices, banks, shops and transport providers before making plans. The law establishes the day off and allows separate decrees to add days off, so announcements may matter when planning around the date.[1]
Frequently asked questions
Is New Year’s Day a public holiday in Mauritania?
Yes. The law lists January 1 as a legal holiday and says legal holidays are paid non-working days.[1]
When is New Year’s Day?
It falls on January 1 each year under the date specified in Mauritania’s law on legal holidays.[1]
Is there an automatic substitute day if January 1 falls on a weekend?
The law does not set an automatic substitute day. It allows the president to declare additional days off by decree in special circumstances.[1]
Are banks, shops and public transport open?
Shops and transport operators set their own hours, so check with them before you travel. Banks and government offices are covered by the paid non-working legal holiday.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for New Year's Day in Mauritania:
- LOI 92.018 DU 7 DÉCEMBRE 1992 FIXANTLES FÊTES LÉGALES EN MAURITANIE- Ministère de la Fonction Publique et du Travail
- Textes législatifs | Ministère de la Fonction Publique et du Travail- Ministère de la Fonction Publique et du Travail