The United Arab Emirates has declared Friday, August 28, a paid public holiday for both federal government employees and workers in the private sector to mark Mawlid al-Nabi, the observance commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The UAE’s official government media office announced the decision on Friday, August 7, saying the holiday would apply across the federal government and private sector in recognition of the Prophet’s birth anniversary, one of the significant occasions in the Islamic calendar. As August 28 falls on a Friday, employees who normally observe Saturday and Sunday as their weekly weekend will benefit from a three-day break, with the holiday extending from Friday, August 28, through Sunday, August 30. Employees are expected to return to work on Monday, August 31, when normal government and private-sector operations will resume. Mawlid al-Nabi is observed by Muslims in many parts of the world as an occasion to remember the life, teachings and legacy of Prophet Muhammad, with religious gatherings, prayers, sermons and community activities held in different countries according to local traditions. In the UAE, the announcement of a paid holiday gives employees an opportunity to observe the occasion with their families while also providing additional time for rest, travel and social activities during the long weekend. The three-day break is also expected to bring increased activity across the country’s tourism, hospitality, transportation and retail sectors as residents take advantage of the extended holiday. The decision forms part of the UAE’s official public-holiday calendar and reflects the country’s recognition of major Islamic occasions as national holidays. Following the three-day break, employees across the federal government and private sector will return to their workplaces on Monday, August 31, marking the resumption of the regular working week.
Paid leave for workers in the Emirates on the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH).
