The Syrian transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, issued on Sunday, October 5, Decree No. 188 of 2025, defining the official holidays and days during which state employees are entitled to full pay under the Basic Law for State Employees.
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the decree lists the official holidays for state employees as follows:
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Eid al-Fitr (three days)
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Eid al-Adha (four days)
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Islamic New Year (one day)
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Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (one day)
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New Year’s Day – January 1 (one day)
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Christmas – December 25 (one day)
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Mother’s Day – March 21 (one day)
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Evacuation Day (Independence Day) – April 17 (one day)
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Easter (Eastern Christian denominations) – one day
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Easter (Western Christian denominations) – one day
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Labor Day – May 1 (one day)
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Liberation Day – December 8 (one day)
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Syrian Revolution Day – March 18 (one day)
The decree notes that, in accordance with paragraph (c) of Article 43 of Law No. 50 of 2004 and its amendments, certain workplaces where operations must continue during official holidays will remain open, with appropriate compensation for employees.
The new decree abolishes several holidays that had been in place under the former regime, including the October War anniversary (October 6), Martyrs’ Day (May 6), the March 8 holiday (formerly known as the “Eighth of March Revolution” under the Baath Party), and Teachers’ Day (March 20).
Decree Ends “March 8 Revolution” Holiday
The decree cancels the “Eighth of March Revolution” holiday, a reference to the 1963 coup carried out by the Baath Party against President Nazim al-Qudsi and his elected government led by Khalid al-Azm, following the dissolution of the union between Syria and Egypt.
The coup resulted in the abolition of political and economic freedoms, the establishment of a one-party state, and the enforcement of the “Emergency Law” that remained in effect from 1963 until the start of the Syrian revolution in 2011.
It also imposed Baathist slogans and ideology as state policy. Historically, the coup was led by the so-called “Military Committee,” composed of Syrian officers who had served in Egypt during the period of the United Arab Republic.
The committee’s five key members were Mohammad Omran, Salah Jadid, Hafez al-Assad, Ahmad al-Mir, and Abdul Karim al-Jundi. It was popularly dubbed the “Adas Government,” reflecting its militarized and sectarian nature (Alawite, Druze, and Ismaili composition).
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