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UAE holidays: Will Prophet's birthday fall on September 4 or 5? How to calculate
The Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycle, meaning the phases of the moon determine its months
- PUBLISHED: Wed 2 Jul 2025, 12:36 PM UPDATED: Sun 17 Aug 2025, 1:08 PM
The birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) will be the next public holiday in the UAE. Believed to be on Rabi Al Awwal 12, residents will get a one-day holiday for the occasion.
Rabi' Al Awwal in 2025 is expected to begin on either Sunday, August 24, or Monday, August 25, depending on the sighting of the moon, as per the Islamic calendar.
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The Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) birthday falls on the 12th day of Rabi’ Al Awwal. If the month begins on August 24, the occasion would fall on Thursday, September 4. If it begins on August 25, then the birthday would fall on Friday, September 5.
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UAE residents will enjoy a one-day public holiday from work as declared by the Cabinet. If it falls on September 5, which is a Friday, some employees will enjoy a 3-day long weekend, including Saturday and Sunday.
The Hijri (Islamic) calendar is based on lunar sightings, meaning the phases of the moon determine its months. Each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. On the 29th of every month, the moon sighting committee convenes to observe the crescent and declare the commencement of the next Islamic month.
The Hijri year is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, so the dates of Islamic months shift earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.
Can holidays be moved?
According to a resolution introduced in 2025, except for the Eid breaks, all other holidays can be moved to the beginning or end of the week if they fall on a weekend. This can be done only through a UAE Cabinet decision. The local government in each Emirate may also announce additional holidays as deemed necessary.
Ajanta Paul is a Senior Editor on the Digital team. A natural leader and newshound, she thrives in breaking news and high-pressure situations — and enjoys reporting on community issues that matter to UAE residents.