{
  "id": 863009,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-14T10:31:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "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 moon-sighting committee in the UAE has officially declared that the Prophet Mohammed's birthday will be celebrated on August 25, following the sighting of the crescent moon on Thursday night. This marks the beginning of Rabea Al Awwal on the Islamic calendar, which in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to August 25. The public holiday will be observed on Friday, August 28, providing locals with a long weekend before the commencement of the school year. The UAE's Cabinet passed legislation in January 2025 that permits the adjustment of certain public holidays, excluding Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, to align with the \"beginning or end of the week\". The Prophet Mohammed was born in Makkah in the year 570. The observance of this holiday generally involves minimal celebration, focusing on religious observance instead of festive activities.",
  "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": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "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",
        "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."
}