Government
offices are open Saturday through Wednesday from 7:30 am to
2:30 private businesses from 8:00 am to noon and 3:00 pm to
6:00 pm; general banking hours are from 8:00 am until non
and from 5:00 until 8:00 pm and markets and shops are open
from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm.
The Islamic calendar is based on the
beginning of the Islamic era, and dates from the year of the
Hijrah, the emigration of the Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah. Hijrah years are lunar;
one month is the cycle between two new moons. The weekend in
Saudi Arabia is Thursday and Friday.
The Months of the Islamic lunar year
are:
- Moharram
- Safar
- Rabia Al-Awal
- Rabia Al-Akher
- Jamad Al-Awal
- Jamad Al-Akher
- Rajab
- Sha'aban
- Ramadan
- Shwwal
- Zul Qidah
- Zul Hijjah
BUSINESS HOURS & CALENDAR: