The UAE has announced that Friday, September 5, will be a public holiday for government employees to mark the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday. The holiday coincides with 12 Rabi Al Awwal on the Hijri calendar, a date celebrated by Muslims around the world.
With Saturday and Sunday already part of the official weekend, this announcement gives federal government employees a three-day break. In Sharjah, however, where Friday is already part of the weekly weekend, public sector staff will enjoy their regular days off.
The decision follows confirmation by the UAE’s astronomy centre that the crescent for Rabi Al Awwal was not sighted on Saturday, August 23. As a result, the month of Safar lasted 30 days, and Rabi Al Awwal began on Monday, August 25 — placing the Prophet’s birthday on September 5 this year.
In a rare difference, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will not observe the holiday on the same day, as the Kingdom sighted the new moon one day earlier. The Islamic (Hijri) calendar is based on lunar sightings, with each month beginning upon confirmation of the new crescent. On the 29th of every Hijri month, the UAE’s moon sighting committee convenes to declare the start of the next month.
