Prophet Muhammad’s birthday to bring extended holiday for UAE in September

Abu Dhabi: The International Astronomy Center in the United Arab Emirates announced on Sunday that the crescent of Rabi Al Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar, was not sighted across the Arab world on Saturday, August 23, 2025. 

The finding means that the new lunar month will begin on different days depending on location, with some countries marking the start on Sunday and others on Monday.

According to the center, it was astronomically impossible to observe the crescent on Saturday, whether with the naked eye, through telescopes, or even advanced imaging technology. 

However, on Sunday, August 24, the crescent became easily visible to the naked eye across most Arab nations, while in northern parts of Asia it could only be seen with difficulty.

As a result, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Palestine, Egypt, and Tunisia began Rabi Al Awwal on Sunday, August 24. 

In contrast, the UAE, Oman, Jordan, Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, and several Asian nations including Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Iran will begin the month on Monday, August 25.

The astronomical timetable also fixes the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, observed on the 12th of Rabi Al Awwal, on Friday, September 5. 

In the UAE, this is expected to translate into a three-day public holiday, as the occasion will align with the regular weekend on Saturday and Sunday.