Prophet's birthday public holiday on Friday August 28: no automatic substitute day if it falls on your weekend

Prophet Muhammad's birthday falls on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, but the Cabinet has transferred the corresponding public holiday to Friday, August 28, 2026. Under UAE Employment Law Article 28, employees are entitled to official leave with full pay on public holidays. If the public holiday coincides with an employee's regular weekend (e.g., Friday and Saturday), the employer is not legally obligated to provide a substitute rest day unless work circumstances require the employee to work on that day. Employees may request an additional substitute day from their employer, who has the discretion to offer benefits more generous than the legal minimum. If required to work on the holiday, employees must receive compensation: either a substitute rest day or their normal wage plus at least 50 per cent supplementary pay.