Paid holiday for the public sector on October 8

The UAE has announced that Saturday, October 8, will be a paid holiday for the public sector to mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The holiday on the Prophet's birthday was announced in a circular issued today by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.

The authority had earlier announced that Saturday, October 8, would be a public holiday for the private sector in the country.

In most countries, including the Gulf countries, the Prophet's birthday is celebrated on the 12th of Rabi'al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar.

While Saturday-Sunday off workers will not get the benefit of this leave, it will be a relief for those who work on Saturdays.