UAE Declares Public Holiday for Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday
By Thasmiya
The UAE has officially announced a **paid public holiday** for both **public and private sector employees** to mark the birthday of **Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)**.
The holiday falls on **Friday, September 4, 2026**, giving many residents a **three-day weekend** when combined with the regular Saturday-Sunday break. The announcement was made by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
## **When is the public holiday?**
The official holiday will be observed on:
- **Friday, September 4, 2026** - Applies to both **public and private sector employees** - Regular work is expected to resume on **Monday, September 7, 2026** for organisations following a Monday-to-Friday workweek.
## **Who gets the holiday?**
The paid holiday applies to:
- Federal government employees - Private sector employees - Most workers across the UAE, in line with the country’s unified public holiday calendar
Individual organisations operating on different work schedules may have separate arrangements for essential services.
## **Why does the date change every year?**
The Prophet’s Birthday, also known as **Mawlid Al Nabi**, is observed on the **12th day of Rabi’ Al Awwal** in the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.
Because the Islamic calendar is based on lunar months, the corresponding Gregorian date changes each year.
## **One of the UAE’s official public holidays**
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday is one of the UAE’s officially recognised public holidays under the country’s public holiday regulations.
Other nationwide holidays include:
- New Year’s Day - Eid Al Fitr - Arafat Day - Eid Al Adha - Hijri (Islamic) New Year - UAE National Day
## **How is the occasion observed?**
The day is observed across the UAE as a religious occasion.
Many residents spend the holiday:
- With family and friends - Attending religious gatherings and prayers - Taking short breaks or staycations - Visiting attractions, malls and restaurants - Travelling within or outside the UAE
Government offices, banks and some private businesses may operate on modified schedules during the holiday.
## **Travel expected to increase**
Public holidays typically lead to higher demand for:
- Flights - Hotels - Staycations - Tourist attractions - Shopping destinations - Public transport
Residents planning to travel are encouraged to book early, as fares and accommodation prices often increase during long weekends.
## **Why this matters**
The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday holiday gives millions of residents across the UAE an opportunity to observe an important religious occasion while also enjoying a long weekend.
For businesses in the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors, the holiday is expected to boost domestic travel and visitor spending, while many residents will use the break to relax, spend time with family or explore destinations across the UAE.
## **FAQs**
### **When is the UAE public holiday for Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday?**
The holiday will be observed on **Friday, September 4, 2026**.
### **Does the holiday apply to the private sector?**
Yes. The paid holiday applies to both **public and private sector employees**.
### **Will it be a long weekend?**
For employees who normally have Saturday and Sunday off, the Friday holiday creates a **three-day weekend**.
### **Why does the holiday date change each year?**
The occasion follows the Islamic Hijri calendar, which is based on lunar months, so its Gregorian date changes annually.
### **What is Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday?**
It commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and is observed by Muslims around the world on the 12th of Rabi’ Al Awwal.
## **Source Credits**
Information source and resource owners: Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the UAE Government.
## **Image Credits**
Image sources are combined from AI-generated visuals and other platforms. If any owner wants to be mentioned or any content needs to be changed, please email us at **concerns@whatmatters.ae**.
The UAE has officially announced a **paid public holiday** for both **public and private sector employees** to mark the birthday of **Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)**.
The holiday falls on **Friday, September 4, 2026**, giving many residents a **three-day weekend** when combined with the regular Saturday-Sunday break. The announcement was made by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
## **When is the public holiday?**
The official holiday will be observed on:
- **Friday, September 4, 2026** - Applies to both **public and private sector employees** - Regular work is expected to resume on **Monday, September 7, 2026** for organisations following a Monday-to-Friday workweek.
## **Who gets the holiday?**
The paid holiday applies to:
- Federal government employees - Private sector employees - Most workers across the UAE, in line with the country’s unified public holiday calendar
Individual organisations operating on different work schedules may have separate arrangements for essential services.
## **Why does the date change every year?**
The Prophet’s Birthday, also known as **Mawlid Al Nabi**, is observed on the **12th day of Rabi’ Al Awwal** in the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.
Because the Islamic calendar is based on lunar months, the corresponding Gregorian date changes each year.
## **One of the UAE’s official public holidays**
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday is one of the UAE’s officially recognised public holidays under the country’s public holiday regulations.
Other nationwide holidays include:
- New Year’s Day - Eid Al Fitr - Arafat Day - Eid Al Adha - Hijri (Islamic) New Year - UAE National Day
## **How is the occasion observed?**
The day is observed across the UAE as a religious occasion.
Many residents spend the holiday:
- With family and friends - Attending religious gatherings and prayers - Taking short breaks or staycations - Visiting attractions, malls and restaurants - Travelling within or outside the UAE
Government offices, banks and some private businesses may operate on modified schedules during the holiday.
## **Travel expected to increase**
Public holidays typically lead to higher demand for:
- Flights - Hotels - Staycations - Tourist attractions - Shopping destinations - Public transport
Residents planning to travel are encouraged to book early, as fares and accommodation prices often increase during long weekends.
## **Why this matters**
The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday holiday gives millions of residents across the UAE an opportunity to observe an important religious occasion while also enjoying a long weekend.
For businesses in the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors, the holiday is expected to boost domestic travel and visitor spending, while many residents will use the break to relax, spend time with family or explore destinations across the UAE.
## **FAQs**
### **When is the UAE public holiday for Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday?**
The holiday will be observed on **Friday, September 4, 2026**.
### **Does the holiday apply to the private sector?**
Yes. The paid holiday applies to both **public and private sector employees**.
### **Will it be a long weekend?**
For employees who normally have Saturday and Sunday off, the Friday holiday creates a **three-day weekend**.
### **Why does the holiday date change each year?**
The occasion follows the Islamic Hijri calendar, which is based on lunar months, so its Gregorian date changes annually.
### **What is Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday?**
It commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and is observed by Muslims around the world on the 12th of Rabi’ Al Awwal.
## **Source Credits**
Information source and resource owners: Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the UAE Government.
## **Image Credits**
Image sources are combined from AI-generated visuals and other platforms. If any owner wants to be mentioned or any content needs to be changed, please email us at **concerns@whatmatters.ae**.