UAE private sector to get 3-day paid holiday for Prophet’s (PBUH) birthday

Private sector employees in the UAE will enjoy a three-day weekend as the country marks the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Friday, September 5. The holiday coincides with 12 Rabi Al Awwal of the Hijri calendar, a day of great significance celebrated by Muslims worldwide.

Since the Prophet’s birthday falls on a Friday, most employees will benefit from an extended weekend, combining the public holiday with the regular Saturday and Sunday break.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation had earlier declared the same holiday for government employees, ensuring both public and private sector workers receive equal time off. In Sharjah, where Friday is already part of the weekend, workers will also enjoy the long break.

This year, the UAE and Saudi Arabia will observe the occasion on different dates, as the Kingdom’s moon-sighting fell a day earlier than that of the Emirates.

The UAE moon-sighting committee had confirmed that the month of Safar would last 30 days, making August 25 the first day of Rabi Al Awwal. Accordingly, the Prophet’s (PBUH) birthday falls on September 5.

The Hijri calendar follows lunar phases, and each new month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon. On the 29th of every Hijri month, the UAE moon-sighting committee meets to confirm the start of the next month.

This rare calendar difference highlights how lunar sightings can vary from one country to another, even within the region.