UAE: Private sector holiday for Prophet Muhammad’s birthday announced

Dubai: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced that Friday, 5 September, 2025 (12th of Rabi Al Awwal) will be a paid public holiday for private sector employees to mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Earlier it was announced that the same day will be a paid holiday for federal government employees this year.

This holiday is less of a celebration and more of an observance. It is encouraged for Muslims to spend the day connecting with God spiritually, by either fasting or reading the Quran. Muslims commemorate the anniversary of the birth of the Messenger of God.

Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the year 570 AD of the Gregorian calendar. The precise Gregorian date of his birth is unclear. However, Muslims observe Muhammed's birthday on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi Al-Awwal, which is the third month of the Islamic year.

The year concludes with mid-week holidays for on December 2 and 3 to mark UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad). These dates fall on a Tuesday and Wednesday in 2025, potentially creating an extended break.

Although Commemoration Day is officially observed on Sunday, 30 November, it is typically marked on December 1. This means UAE residents could enjoy a four-day weekend from December 1 to 4.