New Year’s Day

January 1 opens the Gregorian civil year and is expressly listed among the civil holidays in Decree 25-147/PR. Its place in the calendar is separate from the Islamic New Year, which is also a legal holiday and moves through the Gregorian seasons. The distinction reflects the simultaneous use of a civil administrative calendar and an Islamic religious calendar in Comorian public life.

New Year’s Day follows the evening change of year, but it has no single state-prescribed celebration beyond its legal status. Some residents exchange greetings, visit relatives or rest at home, while hospitality, health, security and transport services may remain staffed. Practices can differ among Ngazidja, Ndzuwani and Mwali and between households in the islands and the Comorian diaspora.

Decree 25-147/PR classifies New Year’s Day as a nationwide public holiday that is non-working and paid. Establishments and worker categories whose activities cannot stop are excepted, with the authorised categories to be set by joint ministerial order. The decree allows a separately declared bridge day in specified calendar gaps, but contains no automatic Monday or other substitute when a holiday meets a weekly rest day. Any additional day requires the legal action described in Articles 3 or 4, so travellers and employees should check current official and workplace notices.