Party-hard Dubai ponders new workweek debate: When's brunch?
ABC News
Friday will never be the same in Dubai
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Friday will never be the same again.
For those with means in Dubai, the former first day of the weekend carried a gluttonous party tradition — an hourslong affair with infinite supply of seafood, pizza, dessert and Veuve Clicquot Champagne set to pulsing music known simply in this city-state as “Friday brunch.”
But starting this year, the United Arab Emirates shifted its weekend from Friday and Saturday to Saturday and Sunday — a move to align with global markets and Western schedules.
Now, Emirati government employees work a half day with time for worship and family gatherings on Islam's holy day. Most of the nation's expatriate-dominated private sector, however, works the full day.