Why Dubai residents could be in for a 4-day weekend this August

Dubai residents could be all set for a four-day long weekend next month, according to the UAE public holiday law. The Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH) is set to arrive at the end of August, which will provide a day off for all UAE residents across the public and private sectors. Like many public holidays in the UAE, the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH) relies on moonsightings to be officially confirmed as it follows the Islamic Hijri calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar. Current predictions indicate that the occasion of the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH) will likely fall on Tuesday August 25. However, the UAE public holiday law allows for the majority of holidays to be transferred to the beginning or the end of the week. This would mean that the day off will likely land on Monday August 24. For the vast majority, this will mean a three-day long weekend in Dubai. But, for some, the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH) will likely lead to a four-day break when combined with the weekend. This is because the public holiday will overlap with the ongoing “Our Flexible Summer” period for public sector workers in Dubai. During “Our Flexible Summer”, public sector employees in Dubai work a reduced schedule, which includes the option of a four-day work week with the final day in the office being Thursday. This schedule is in place until Thursday September 10. So, when combined with the weekend and the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH) holiday likely falling on a Monday, public sector workers should expect a four-day break.