So, just when you thought the summer holidays were winding down and life was about to descend into a tragic blur of work emails and laundry, the universe (or more specifically, the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics in Egypt) has gifted us with some rather excellent news. There’s another UAE public holiday coming!! And yes, it’s based on proper astronomical calculations, none of this “my cousin heard from his friend” business.
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The Moon’s Big Role in This UAE Public Holiday
Here’s the exciting bit. Dr Ashraf Tadros, Professor of Astronomy at the institute, confirmed the full moon of the Islamic month of Safar will happen on a Saturday morning at exactly 10:57 am. That’s peak moon fabulousness, 100% illumination. According to their astronomical calculations, Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday is expected to fall on Thursday, September 4, 2025. Which in the Islamic calendar is 12 Rabi Al Awwal 1447 AH.
Safar is expected to last 29 days. Which is how they’re confident about the September 4 date. And if you’re a moon-spotter, you would have seen the moon falling beautifully full from August 9 to 11. And the moon never arrives without a bit of history and folklore clinging to it,. So, here’s a little lunar trivia for you:
Sturgeon Moon
This name comes from Native American tribes, especially those living around the Great Lakes and other vast freshwater regions in North America. August was prime time for catching sturgeon. Enormous, armour-plated fish that look like they could be extras in a dinosaur documentary. Back then, the arrival of this full moon was like nature’s gentle nudge: “Right, fishing season’s on, everyone grab your nets.”
Corn Moon / Green Corn Moon
If fishing wasn’t your thing, farming certainly was. The “Corn Moon,” or “Green Corn Moon,” marked the time when corn crops were tall, green, and nearly ready for harvest. For agricultural communities, this wasn’t just a pretty sight. It was the signal for a busy spell in the fields and the promise of full storehouses in the months ahead.trivia:
Different cultures and regions gave the August full moon their own names, all tied to what mattered most in that place and season. Fishing, farming, or preparing for the colder months ahead. So while modern life means we no longer time our fishing trips or crop harvests by moonlight, these names are a lovely reminder of how closely people once lived in tune with nature’s rhythms.
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Why This UAE Public Holiday Matters
The birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is one of the most significant occasions for Muslims around the world. It’s a day marked by cultural traditions, religious gatherings, spiritual reflection. And in the UAE, it’s officially on the public holiday list under the Cabinet Resolution Concerning UAE Public Holidays.
The Possible Long Weekend Jackpot
Here’s where it gets exciting for UAE residents: Article (2) of Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024 lets the government move certain public holidays (except Eid) to the start or end of the week to create long weekends.
So, if the September 4 Thursday holiday is shifted to Friday, September 5, you’re looking at:
- Thursday – Work as usual
- Friday – Holiday
- Saturday – Weekend
Voila, three-day weekend!
Why You Should Care
Because it’s yet another chance for:
- Or rather the final chance for a summer getaway before winter kicks in and staycay rates shoot.
- Lazy lie-ins without the guilt of skipping work.
- Spontaneous beach days that don’t involve battling the school-run traffic.
- Or, for the extremely virtuous, finally reorganising that kitchen cupboard you’ve been ignoring since 2022.
So, whether you’re planning a quick escape or just some well-earned downtime, keep the first weekend of September on your radar. The moon’s in on it, the stars have aligned, and the government might just make this UAE public holiday magical.
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