Egypt’s cabinet sets September 4 as official paid holiday for celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday

CAIRO- 25 August 2025: The Egyptian government designates Thursday, September 4, 2025- corresponding to Rabi’ al-Awwal 12, 1447 AH- an official paid holiday on Al Mawlid Al Nabawi [The Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday] occasion.

The 4th of September will be an official paid holiday for employees in ministries, government agencies, public authorities, local administration units, public sector companies, public business sector companies, and private sector companies.

Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him) was born on the 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. His birth took place in the Year of the Elephant.

The Year of the Elephant is named after a significant event that occurred in Mecca. Abraha, the Aksumite military leader and ruler of Himyar (in present-day Yemen), marched with a large army—including a massive elephant—with the intention of conquering Mecca and destroying the Kaaba. However, the elephant refused to approach the Kaaba. Allah sent flocks of small birds carrying stones of baked clay, which they dropped on Abraha’s army, destroying it completely. 

In some Muslim countries, including Egypt, people celebrate the occasion of the Prophet’s birthday by buying various kinds of sweets and organizing public gatherings.

The tradition of celebrating the Prophet’s birthday began with the Fatimids. They were the first to formally observe this occasion, along with other significant Islamic dates such as the Islamic New Year, the Day of Ashura, the nights of Rajab 1, Sha'ban 1, and Sha'ban 15, the beginning of Ramadan, the Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha), and the Feast of Breaking the Fast (Eid al-Fitr).

Additional reporting by Walaa Ali