Saudi Arabia has now approved the use of the Gregorian or English calendar instead of the Hijri calendar for all government work. However, the Hijri calendar will still be used in Islamic practices. This decision was made under the leadership of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Saudi Cabinet. Traditionally, the country has been using the Gregorian calendar alongside the Hijri calendar for administrative purposes. In recent times, Saudi Arabia has taken various measures to attract foreign investments and tourists. As part of this effort, the decision to move away from the Hijri calendar and use the Gregorian calendar is seen as a significant step by the Saudi government.
Dr. Osama Ghannam Al-Obeidi, a law professor at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, commented that this move by the government is quite progressive for the country’s business and commerce. He stated that using the Gregorian calendar for all types of government work is a very positive step, as it aligns with the practices of most countries around the world in terms of their laws, transactions, and other activities.
Banker and economic analyst Talat Jacky Hafiz also praised the Saudi government’s decision, considering it as a very intelligent move. – Arab News source.
