August 28 Now a Public Holiday: UAE Grants 3-Day Weekend for Prophet's Birthday
The UAE has announced that Friday, August 28, 2026, will be a public holiday for both the public and private sectors to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This declaration means that residents across the country will enjoy a three-day weekend, as Saturdays and Sundays are already observed as weekends. For public sector employees in Sharjah, who typically have Fridays off, this announcement still results in a three-day weekend, albeit with the holiday falling on a different day than initially expected.
The long weekend coincides with the final week of the school summer break, with the 2026-27 academic year set to begin on August 31. The UAE’s decision to declare a public holiday on August 28 is in line with the country’s tradition of observing significant Islamic occasions. Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday is one such occasion, celebrated by many faithful around the world and marked on the 12th of Rabi Al Awwal in the Hijri calendar.
The Hijri calendar, based on lunar sightings, determines the dates of Islamic holidays. The UAE moon sighting committee convenes at the end of each Hijri month to observe the crescent and declare the start of the next month. This method of determining holidays means that the exact dates of Islamic occasions can vary from year to year on the Gregorian calendar.
A new law that came into effect in 2025 allows certain public holidays to be transferred to the start or end of the working week if they fall mid-week, enabling people to enjoy longer, continuous breaks. The UAE Cabinet has the authority to shift these holidays, with the exception of Eid holidays, to create longer breaks for residents. This year, the holiday for Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday falls on a Friday, naturally resulting in a three-day weekend without the need for a transfer.
The UAE’s announcement of a public holiday for Prophet’s Birthday is a significant event for residents, providing an opportunity for rest, reflection, and celebration. As the country prepares for the new academic year, this long weekend offers a welcome break before the start of school and work routines.
The UAE’s decision to declare August 28 as a public holiday aligns with the country’s commitment to respecting and celebrating important Islamic occasions. This move is expected to be well-received by residents, who will appreciate the extra day off to observe the holiday and spend time with family and friends.
In the context of the UAE’s strategic development plans, this public holiday reflects the country’s emphasis on cultural and religious heritage. By declaring a public holiday for Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, the UAE reinforces its position as a country that values and respects its Islamic traditions.
Meta Ordered to Pay $567m Fine
Meta Hit with $567m Fine for Child Harm
A New Mexico court has ordered Meta to pay $567 million to abate a public nuisance and address child harm following a state lawsuit over platform safety features. The lawsuit, filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez in 2023, alleged that Meta failed to protect children from online dangers. Around three-quarters of the funds will be used for mental health treatment over a five-year period.
This ruling affects not just Meta but potentially sets a precedent for other social media companies, as over 30 US states are suing Meta over similar allegations. The decision also requires Meta to make changes to its products, including limiting push notifications to 90 hours a month for users under 18 and hiding "like counts." Meta has stated that it disagrees with the ruling and will appeal.
To comply with the court's order, Meta will need to provide updates twice a year regarding its efforts to protect young users. The company will also have to continue its efforts to keep children under the age of 13 off of Facebook and Instagram. This includes making changes to its age verification processes, which have become increasingly popular among regulators worldwide.
The ruling is part of a larger trend of lawsuits seeking to hold social media companies liable for alleged harms to children and mental health. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed in the US, with a potential trial set to begin in August in Oakland, California. In May, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and YouTube reached confidential settlements with a Kentucky school district.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Meta Fine | $567 million |
Kuwait Residency Conversion Rejections
Kuwait Residency Conversion Rejections Mount
Hundreds of expatriates in Kuwait have had their applications to convert visit visas into residency permits rejected under new ministerial rules. The rejections come after applicants failed to meet the strict criteria set out in the recently introduced ministerial decree, including a minimum monthly salary threshold of KD800 for family reunification.
The new rules, which govern the conversion of visit visas into residency permits under Articles 17, 18, 20, and 22, are not available to all expatriates or nationalities. Each case is assessed individually and is subject to approval by the Director General of the General Department of Residency Affairs. Some categories also require additional clearance from senior Ministry of Interior officials.
Expatriates seeking family reunification may convert visit visas for spouses, sons under 18, and daughters under 21 if they earn a minimum monthly salary of KD800, in addition to paying the required conversion, health insurance, and residency fees. Separate humanitarian provisions allow certain exemptions, including parents bringing children under five if the mother already holds valid residency, and husbands sponsoring wives whose residency expired less than a year ago, subject to official approval.
Conversion to employment residency is limited to specific categories, including individuals who entered Kuwait on government-issued visit visas and possess higher academic qualifications or specialized technical skills, as well as certain domestic workers under existing regulations. Authorities said all applications will continue to be assessed based on labor market needs and the conditions outlined in the ministerial decree.
| Category | Minimum Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Family Reunification | KD800 |
Emaar revenue H1 2026 up 21% to AED23.9 billion
Emaar Revenue Surges 21% to AED23.9 Billion in H1 2026
Emaar Properties PJSC delivered a resilient performance during the first half of 2026, with revenue up 21 percent to AED23.9 billion. Local investors and property buyers are directly impacted by this development, as Emaar's strong financial results reflect the company's balanced contributions across its development, recurring income, and international businesses.
The company's shopping malls, retail, and commercial leasing portfolio maintained its solid performance during the first half of 2026, contributing to the overall revenue growth. Emaar's property sales recorded approximately AED26.6 billion during the first half of 2026, with a revenue backlog of approximately AED164.9 billion as of June 30, 2026, providing strong visibility for future revenue recognition.
Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar, attributed the company's success to its discipline, consistency, and long-term approach, stating that Emaar's role is to continue building destinations that reflect Dubai's ambition while maintaining quality, innovation, and operational excellence.
The company's master-planned land bank comprises approximately 590 million sq. ft. of mixed-use development opportunities, including approximately 316 million sq. ft. within the UAE, positioning Emaar for continued growth in the region. This development is connected to prior reports of Dubai's growing real estate market, where Emaar has been a major player.
UAE leaders' warm greeting goes viral
UAE Leaders' Humility Wins Hearts in Viral London Video
A video showing UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan warmly greeting His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, during a meeting in London has gone viral on social media. The footage, widely shared across social media platforms, shows the two leaders exchanging a warm greeting, attracting thousands of views and praise for their humility and close rapport.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid regularly meet to review national priorities and discuss issues affecting citizens, and this moment has highlighted their approachable nature. The video comes just days after Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was seen interacting with members of the public during his stay in London, greeting people, stopping to speak with residents and visitors, and posing for photographs.
The viral clip has sparked widespread attention and praise on social media for the leaders' accessibility and engagement with the public. Many comments highlighted the leaders' humility despite their senior positions, while others offered prayers for their health and wellbeing and wished them continued success in leading the country.
This viral moment is reminiscent of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's surprise visit to Atlantis The Palm, where he was seen interacting with the public and showing his humble side. The UAE leaders' commitment to engaging with the public and their humility has won the hearts of many, both in the UAE and abroad.
Oil prices drop 0.85% as Hormuz deal nears
Oil Prices Fall as Hormuz Deal Looms
Oil prices edged lower on Friday as investors weighed signals that Oman and Iran were closing in on a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under a temporary arrangement. Brent crude futures were down 70 cents, or 0.85%, at $81.79 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures fell 53 cents, or 0.69%, to $76.76. Investors reacted to the potential deal, which aims to allow for broader talks to bring the Iran war to a close, despite ongoing tensions and sanctions hurdles.
The potential deal has sparked debate over transit fees, with Iran seeking fees of between 5% and 7% of the price of cargoes from ships using the strait, while Oman is discussing fees of about 3%. The U.S., however, wants no fees at all. Analysts have warned that the proposed deal is not easily workable due to U.S. sanctions and restrictive insurance clauses on any payments.
The developments have signalled that hostilities between Iran and the U.S. are not yet over, with oil prices falling earlier in the week as a possible solution to the conflict looked more likely. Both Brent and WTI crude benchmarks are on course for a weekly loss of more than 9%. The situation remains complex, with the structure of the Iran-Oman agreement and the power it yields to Iran being a major point of contention.
This latest development comes as the global energy market continues to navigate the challenges posed by the conflict in the region. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes, could have significant implications for global energy supplies and prices.
The news of a potential deal has been met with caution, as the details of the agreement and its implications for the global energy market are still unclear. As the situation continues to unfold, investors and energy market analysts will be closely watching the developments and their potential impact on oil prices.
