Mark Your Moon CalendarsWill we get a day off for Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday?
Fresh off the back of Eid al-Adha and Islamic New Year, it looks like the UAE might just bless us with another well-timed vacation-worthy break. This time, it’s for Mawlid al-Nabi, also known as Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (PBUH), one of the most significant dates in the Islamic calendar (and yes, one that often comes with a public holiday.)
UAE religious holidays are celebrated by all nationalities.
Now, before you start mentally packing your Louis Vuitton for a cheeky staycay, let’s decode the lunar logistics. The Islamic Hijri calendar isn’t your average January-to-December situation; it follows the moon. That means holiday dates shift slightly each year, depending on when the crescent moon decides to make its elegant little appearance.
So, when is Prophet Muhammad’s birthday in 2025?
Astronomers predict that the crescent moon marking the start of Rabi’ Al-Awwal (the month in which the Prophet was born) will appear on Sunday, August 24th, which would mean:
→ If Rabi’ Al-Awwal begins on Sunday, August 24, then the Prophet’s birthday will fall on Thursday, September 4.
→ If the crescent moon is a little fashionably late and Rabi’ Al-Awwal starts on Monday, August 25, then the holiday would shift to Friday, September 5 – hello, long weekend.
Of course, the final date won’t be set in stone until the official moon sighting committee does their thing. So keep your eyes on the skies (and your inbox for government updates).
What comes next on the holiday horizon?
After Mawlid, the next biggie is Eid Al Etihad (formerly known as Union Day), falling midweek on Tuesday, December 2nd and Wednesday, December 3rd. That’s two days of national pride, fireworks, and the last public holiday hurrah of the year.
UAE National Day celebrations in December are also cause for several days of cultural activities.
If you’re thinking of travelling around any of these dates, book now or forever hold your overpriced airfare. The UAE’s holiday airport scramble is very real.
Predicted holiday: Thursday, Sept 4th or Friday, Sept 5th, 2025. Based on moon sighting (TBC). Next holiday after that: Eid Al Etihad, Dec 2nd–3rd, 2025.
