UAE Declares Aug. 28 Public Holiday for Prophet Muhammad's Birthday

ABU DHABI, Aug. 7 — The United Arab Emirates has declared Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, a public holiday for both government and private sector employees to mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The holiday, announced by the UAE authorities, will be observed nationwide and coincides with 12 Rabi Al Awwal on the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.

For most employees, the holiday will create a three-day weekend, as Saturday and Sunday are regular weekly days off. In the Emirate of Sharjah, where public sector employees already observe a Friday-to-Sunday weekend, the holiday will fall within the existing weekend schedule.

Earlier expectations suggested the occasion could be observed on Aug. 25, with the possibility of the holiday being moved to Aug. 24 to provide a long weekend. However, authorities have officially confirmed Friday, Aug. 28, as the holiday for both the public and private sectors.

The annual holiday is observed across the UAE to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), one of the most significant occasions in the Islamic calendar.