Kuwait declares Thursday, August 27 public holiday for Prophet Mohammed's birthday
Government employees will enjoy a three-day break as the official holiday combines with the regular Friday-Saturday weekend, with work resuming on Sunday, August 30.
Kuwait declares Thursday, August 27 public holiday for Prophet Mohammed's birthday
Kuwait has officially designated Thursday, August 27, 2026 as a public holiday to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Mohammed, marking the occasion for the Islamic year 1448 AH. The announcement was made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Sabah on Tuesday.
Government employees will enjoy an extended three-day break as the Thursday holiday falls immediately before Kuwait's regular Friday-Saturday weekend. Official work will resume across all government departments on Sunday, August 30.
The holiday applies to all ministries, government departments, public authorities and state institutions throughout Kuwait. The National Bank of Kuwait confirmed the dates in its official 2026 holiday schedule, noting that banking operations will remain closed until Sunday.
Special arrangements for essential services
Government bodies whose operations require continuous service will determine their own working arrangements through relevant authorities, taking into account the public interest. These provisions typically apply to entities providing essential services that cannot be fully suspended during official holidays.
The occasion, known as Mawlid Al Nabawi, is observed on the 12th day of Rabi Al Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar. Based on astronomical calculations, Rabi Al Awwal 1448 AH began on August 14, 2026, with the 12th day falling around August 25. The Islamic lunar calendar runs approximately 10 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian solar calendar each year, causing Islamic dates to shift earlier by about 10 days annually on the Gregorian calendar.
Regional observances
Kuwait's announcement aligns with similar declarations across the Gulf region. The United Arab Emirates has designated Friday, August 28, 2026 as a public holiday for the same occasion, giving UAE employees a three-day weekend with their regular Saturday-Sunday off days.
The exact date of Mawlid can vary by one day between countries depending on regional moon sighting practices and whether authorities use astronomical calculation or physical moon observation. Many Muslim-majority countries including Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Turkey observe Mawlid as a public holiday.
This marks one of Kuwait's 13 public holidays for 2026. In Kuwait, the official work week runs from Sunday to Thursday for government offices and most private sector businesses, with Friday and Saturday forming the weekend.
