Holiday Date Announced for Federal Government Workers
The United Arab Emirates has officially confirmed the public sector holiday for Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH). The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) announced that Friday, September 5, 2025, will be the designated holiday for government employees.
This means public sector staff will enjoy a three-day weekend in observance of the occasion. Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday falls annually on Rabi Al-Awwal 12 and is recognised as a public holiday across the UAE.
Although the announcement currently applies to federal employees, a similar update for the private sector is expected soon.
Holiday Confirmation Linked to Lunar Calendar
The decision follows the sighting of the crescent marking the start of Rabi Al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic Hijri calendar. In an official statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), FAHR stated:
“The Authority issued a circular to all ministries and federal entities regarding the holiday of the Prophet’s Birthday in the federal government for the year 1447 AH. Based on the directives issued, the Prophet’s Birthday holiday will be on Friday, September 5, 2025.”
How Islamic Calendar Affects Holiday Dates
The upcoming long weekend is one of four UAE public holidays determined by the Islamic lunar calendar, which is widely used by Muslims globally to mark religious events. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar consists of months that are either 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon’s visibility.
As a result, the lunar year is about 10 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, causing Islamic holidays to shift each year in relation to the Gregorian calendar.
