UAE Declares September 5 Holiday for Prophet’s (PBUH) Birthday

The UAE government has officially declared Friday, September 5, 2025, as a public holiday for all federal employees in observance of the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The holiday falls on 12 Rabi Al Awwal in the Islamic Hijri calendar, a date that holds special significance for Muslims worldwide. With Friday declared a holiday, government workers across the Emirates will enjoy a three-day weekend, since Saturday and Sunday are already part of the regular weekend in the country.

In Sharjah, where weekends run from Friday to Sunday, employees in the public sector receive no extra day off, as the holiday aligns with their regular weekend.

Moon Sighting and Calendar Confirmation

The announcement follows the findings of the UAE’s astronomy center, which earlier confirmed the non-sighting of the crescent moon on Saturday, August 23. As a result, the month of Safar completed 30 days, and the new month of Rabi Al Awwal began on Monday, August 25. This calculation fixes the Prophet’s (PBUH) birthday on Friday, September 5 this year.

In a relatively rare situation, the UAE and Saudi Arabia will mark the occasion on different days, as the Kingdom reported sighting the moon one day earlier. Such differences are common because the Islamic or Hijri calendar is purely lunar, and each month begins with the confirmed sighting of the crescent.

The UAE Moon Sighting Committee meets on the 29th day of every Hijri month to observe the crescent and declare the beginning of the next month officially.

The Prophet’s birthday, also known as Mawlid Al Nabawi, is commemorated by Muslims across the world with prayers, gatherings, and reflections on his life and teachings.