UAE private sector to get 3-day holiday for Prophet’s birthday
Government employees also to enjoy a long weekend
DUBAI – The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced that Friday, 5 September 2025, will be a paid public holiday for private sector employees to mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Most workers will enjoy a three-day weekend, as the holiday coincides with the official Saturday–Sunday break.
Prophet’s birthday
Celebrated by Muslims worldwide, the holiday falls on the 12th day of Rabi Al Awwal in the Hijri calendar. The date for this year was confirmed following the non-sighting of the crescent on Saturday, 23 August, which indicated the month of Safar would complete 30 days. Consequently, the third month of the Islamic calendar began on Monday, 25 August, positioning 12 Rabi Al Awwal on 5 September in the UAE.
How is it celebrated?
The Prophet’s birthday is primarily observed as a spiritual occasion. Many Muslims spend the day reading the Holy Quran, engaging in prayers, or fasting. The holiday commemorates the birth of the Prophet in Mecca in 570 AD, though the precise Gregorian date remains uncertain.
Why does the date differ regionally?
The Hijri calendar relies on lunar sightings, so celebrations can vary between countries. This year, Saudi Arabia will observe the Prophet’s birthday a day earlier than the UAE, following their moon sighting.
Public holiday in UAE
Earlier announcements confirmed that federal government employees would also receive a three-day break.
Remaining 2025 public holidays include National Day on 2–3 December and Commemoration Day on 30 November, which may combine into extended weekend breaks.