The UAE’s next public holiday date is still subject to confirmation via moon sighting, it’s currently the next holiday on the calendar.
The birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which is expected to fall on Thursday, September 4
While that midweek break is already a nice pause, many residents aren’t aware that the UAE Cabinet has the power to shift certain public holidays to align with weekends — turning them into longer, more convenient breaks.
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This flexibility means that even if a holiday falls midweek, it could be moved to the start or end of the week, giving the workforce more time to rest or travel — and boosting tourism and productivity in the process.
The Rule Behind It
Under Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024, the UAE Cabinet has the authority to shift public holidays to either the beginning or end of the workweek. The goal? To optimize rest days and create longer weekends — a move that benefits both employees and organizations by improving well-being and operational efficiency.
However, there’s one exception: Eid holidays are fixed and cannot be moved.
What This Means
If the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday falls on a Thursday, there’s a good chance the public holiday could be moved to Friday — potentially giving both public and private sector employees a three-day weekend.
This would depend on how the UAE Cabinet chooses to apply the flexibility granted under Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024.
While nothing is officially confirmed yet, the possibility of a long weekend is definitely in play — so it’s worth keeping an eye out for the official announcement.
