A Three-Day Weekend for Mawlid Al Nabawi
The UAE Government Media Office has confirmed that Friday, August 28, 2026 will be a paid public holiday for federal government and private sector employees to mark Mawlid Al Nabawi, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. Because the holiday falls on a Friday, staff who follow the standard Saturday-Sunday weekend will get a three-day break running from August 28 through August 30, returning to work on Monday, August 31.
Mawlid Al Nabawi is observed by Muslims worldwide on the 12th day of Rabi' Al Awwal, the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad. The day is typically observed with religious gatherings, Quran recitations and sermons reflecting on his life and teachings.
Flexible Holiday Rules Shape the Long Weekend
Under legislation introduced by the UAE Cabinet in 2025, most public holidays, with the exception of Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, can be shifted to the start or end of the working week to give employees a longer, more predictable break. That flexibility is why this year's Mawlid Al Nabawi holiday has been set for Friday, August 28, creating a three-day weekend rather than a single midweek day off.
Schools, banks and most government offices are expected to follow the same schedule, and residents planning travel or family gatherings for the holiday should confirm specific hours with individual employers, as private companies retain some discretion over exact scheduling within the announced dates.
