Saudi Cabinet Approves Gregorian Calendar for Business
The recent decision by the Saudi Cabinet to adopt the Gregorian calendar for official business signifies a notable shift, aligning Saudi Arabia more closely with global standards. This change was officially approved in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman, reflecting a growing openness to the external world.
Historically, Saudi Arabia has used the lunar-based Hijri calendar since its founding in 1932, but the recent amendment marks a transition to the solar-based Gregorian calendar for official transactions, including the payment of salaries, wages, bonuses, and allowances to all civil sector employees.
Before this change, the Gregorian calendar was primarily used by the private sector, particularly among the nation’s oil customers to calculate salaries, while the public sector adhered to the Hijri calendar, which comprises 12 months lasting 354 or 355 days, making it 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar.
The newly approved use of the Gregorian calendar in official procedures and transactions will streamline the calculation of durations, although exceptions will be made for durations linked to Islamic Sharia rulings, which will continue to be calculated according to the lunar Hijri calendar.
Despite a previous ban in 2012 on the use of the Gregorian calendar in official dealings, there were allowances for its use if associated with the corresponding Hijri date.
Moreover, this change is seen in a broader context of socio-economic transitions within Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom, home to a large community of expatriate workers, has been undergoing dramatic socio-economic changes in recent years, evolving its regulations and systems to accommodate a more globalized operation framework.
Analysts and academics have praised the decision, suggesting a positive step towards modernization, while reiterating that Islamic Sharia rulings will continue to use the Hijri calendar.
In summary, the Saudi Cabinet’s approval of the Gregorian calendar for official business is a significant stride towards modernization, encapsulating a broader socio-economic evolution within the kingdom. This move is expected to facilitate smoother transactions and operations in official dealings, bridging the gap between traditional practices and contemporary global standards.
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