The UAE could enjoy a three-day weekend in August if the public holiday for the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday is moved to Monday.
DUBAI: If you’ve already started planning your next getaway, there’s some good news.
The UAE could be in line for another three-day weekend later this month, thanks to a rule that allows certain public holidays to be moved and create longer breaks.
According to current calendar projections, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is expected to fall on Tuesday, August 25.
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Normally, that would mean a one-day break in the middle of the week. But under the UAE’s updated public holiday rules, there’s a chance the holiday could instead be observed on Monday, August 24, giving residents a long weekend from Saturday to Monday.
There’s one important catch, though.
The change is not automatic. The holiday will only move if the UAE Cabinet officially approves the transfer.
The flexibility comes under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, which allows certain public holidays to be shifted to the beginning or end of the week to create longer weekends.
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Not every holiday is covered by the rule. Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are excluded and always remain on their announced dates.
The resolution also says holidays cannot be moved if they already fall on a weekend or clash with another public holiday.
Since the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday is expected to fall on a Tuesday this year, moving it to Monday is possible under the current rules, subject to Cabinet approval.
If approved, both public and private sector employees would benefit from the long weekend.
And yes, it would still be a paid public holiday.
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Under UAE labour laws, employees are entitled to paid leave on officially declared public holidays. If someone is required to work on the holiday, employers must either provide another day off or pay additional compensation in line with labour regulations.
While many residents are already hoping for another long weekend, it’s worth remembering that nothing is official until the UAE Cabinet issues its final announcement.
Until then, holiday plans might be best kept pencilled in rather than written in ink.
Babar Siddiqui is the Features Editor at TheBrewNews.com, where he covers stories spanning the environment, culture, and technology. A naturally curious storyteller with an adventurous spirit, he is passionate about exploring ideas that shape the world around us. Beyond the newsroom, Babar finds inspiration in nature, embracing its quiet moments as a source of reflection and creativity.
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