When Is UAE's next public holiday? Will Prophet Muhammad's birthday bring a long weekend?
After the recent three-day break for Islamic New Year, UAE residents are already looking forward to their next public holiday. The next official holiday is expected to be the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), observed during the Islamic month of Rabi' Al-Awwal.
This day is widely celebrated across the country and will grant residents a one-day holiday.
When Is the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday in 2025?
According to the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, Rabi' Al-Awwal in 2025 is expected to begin on Sunday, August 24 and end on Monday, September 22, though the exact dates depend on moon sightings. The Islamic calendar is lunar-based, with each month beginning upon the sighting of the new moon. Since the Hijri year is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar year, Islamic dates shift earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar.
If Rabi' Al-Awwal starts on August 24 (Sunday), then the birthday of Prophet Muhammad is expected to fall on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
If the month begins a day later, on August 25 (Monday), then the Prophet's birthday will likely be on Friday, September 5, 2025.
This means UAE residents are set to enjoy a potential three-day weekend, either from Thursday to Saturday or Friday to Sunday, when combined with the usual weekend days of Saturday and Sunday.
New Rules on Holiday Scheduling in the UAE
In early 2025, the UAE government introduced a resolution allowing for more flexibility in scheduling public holidays. According to this new law:
Except for Eid breaks, all public holidays can be moved to the beginning or end of the workweek if they fall on a weekend.
Such adjustments require approval from the UAE Cabinet.
Individual Emirates' local governments may also announce additional holidays if deemed necessary.
This policy was already applied during the Islamic New Year break, and it is expected that the same approach will be taken for the Prophet Muhammad's birthday holiday. This means the public holiday could be shifted to create a longer weekend, maximizing rest and leisure time for residents.
What Does This Mean for Residents?
The upcoming long weekend presents a welcome opportunity to plan for a short getaway or relaxation period. Early September is often considered a shoulder season for travel, offering attractive deals within the UAE and abroad.
Whether residents prefer:
A staycation at luxury hotels,
A scenic mountain drive,
Or a city break,
the likely three-day weekend around the Prophet Muhammad's birthday is an ideal time to take advantage of some downtime.
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