UAE Confirms Prophet Mohammed's Birthday Holiday for August Following Rabea Al Awwal Moon Sighting

The moon-sighting committee in the UAE has officially confirmed that the Prophet Mohammed's birthday will be observed on August 25. This announcement follows the sighting of the crescent moon on Thursday night by the International Astronomical Centre at Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory, marking Friday, August 14, as the official beginning of Rabea Al Awwal on the Islamic calendar.

Because the Prophet Mohammed's birthday falls on the 12th day of Rabea Al Awwal—corresponding to August 25 in the Gregorian calendar—the public holiday will be observed on Friday, August 28. This scheduling provides residents with a convenient long weekend just ahead of the new school year.

The scheduling aligns with legislation introduced by the UAE Cabinet on January 1, 2025, which permits the transfer of select public holidays, excluding Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, to either the beginning or the end of the work week. Historically, the Prophet Mohammed, who was born in Makkah in the year 570, is honored through solemn observance rather than large-scale celebrations, keeping festivities to a minimum.