The United Arab Emirates has officially announced a three-day long weekend for both public and private sector workers in September 2025. The extra day off comes in honor of Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH), which falls on Friday September 5 this year.
Since the holiday joins with the weekend on Saturday and Sunday, residents across the UAE can look forward to an extended break from Friday September 5 to Sunday September 7.
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) for the private sector, following confirmations from the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, ensuring that all government offices, institutions, and departments will observe the holiday.
Why the Date Changes Every Year
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Mawlid al-Nabi) is celebrated annually on the 12th day of Rabi’ Al-Awwal, the third month in the Islamic Hijri calendar. Since Islamic dates follow the lunar calendar, the holiday shifts by about 10 to 12 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.
In 2025, the crescent moon marking the start of Rabi’ Al-Awwal was sighted on Sunday August 24, which means the first day of the Hijri month was on Monday August 25, aligning the holiday on September 5.
The UAE recognizes several Islamic public holidays that are determined by the lunar cycle, including Eid al-Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid al-Adha, and the Prophet’s Birthday. This is why dates for Islamic occasions are never fixed in the Gregorian year.
What It Means for Residents
The confirmed three-day weekend offers UAE residents a perfect chance for a mini-break – whether that’s relaxing at home, planning a desert escape, exploring Dubai and Abu Dhabi attractions, or booking a short holiday abroad. With the announcement coming ahead of time, travel planners and families can make the most of this extra-long weekend.
The next public holidays on the UAE calendar will also follow the Islamic lunar cycle, giving people more opportunities for long weekends throughout the year.