{
  "id": 860303,
  "title": "Prophet Mohammed's birthday: Holiday confirmed after Rabea Al Awwal moon spotted",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/prophet-mohammeds-birthday-holiday-confirmed-after-rabea-al-awwal",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-14T10:31:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/08/14/prophet-mohammeds-birthday-confirmed-after-rabea-al-awwal-moon-spotted/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The UAE's moon-sighting committee has officially declared that the Prophet Mohammed's birthday will be observed on August 25, based on the sighting of the crescent moon on Thursday night. This determination places the start of Rabea Al Awwal, the 12-day period commemorating the Prophet's birth, on August 14 according to the Islamic calendar. Consequently, the Prophet's birthday, falling on the 12th day of Rabea Al Awwal or August 25 in the Gregorian calendar, will be a public holiday on Friday, August 28, just prior to the commencement of the school year. This decision was implemented by the UAE Cabinet on January 1, 2025, which allows for the relocation of certain public holidays, except for Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, to either the beginning or end of the week. The Prophet Mohammed, born in Makkah in 570, was commemorated with observances rather than grand celebrations, keeping festivities relatively subdued.",
  "summary": "The UAE's moon-sighting committee has confirmed that the Prophet Mohammed's birthday will fall on August 25. This comes after the crescent moon was spotted on Thursday night by the International Astronomical Centre at Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory, marking Friday, August 14, as the start of Rabea Al Awwal on the Islamic calendar. The Prophet Mohammed's birthday falls on the 12th day of Rabea…",
  "key_points": [
    "UAE moon-sighting committee declares Prophet Mohammed's birthday on August 25",
    "Rabea Al Awwal period starts August 14 according to Islamic calendar",
    "Public holiday for Prophet's birthday on August 28 in UAE"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The UAE's declaration of Prophet Mohammed's birthday as a public holiday on August 28 gives people an extra day off just before the school year starts.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Prophet Mohammed's birthday: Holiday confirmed after Rabea Al Awwal moon spotted",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/prophet-mohammeds-birthday-holiday-confirmed-after-rabea-al-awwal-863009",
        "published": "2026-08-14T10:31:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}