President Sheikh Mohamed has paid homage to an “inspirational legacy of kindness” as he marked the Prophet Mohammed's birthday.
The UAE leader said the Prophet's “timeless values” continue to be a guiding light for society.
The holiday is typically a time for quiet reflection rather than celebration, with festivities scaled back.
“On the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), we continue to be guided by his noble character, his timeless values and his inspirational legacy of kindness, friendship and empathy for all of humanity,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on Twitter on Friday.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, called on humankind to follow the Prophet's path.
"On the anniversary of his birth, which illuminated the east and west of the earth, we renew our love to him, follow his path and spread the mercy that he brought to the world," Sheikh Mohammed wrote on Twitter.
"He is the most merciful human to humans, the most truthful and the most ethical."
Both the private and public sector will have a holiday on Saturday, October 8, to mark the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday.
Abu Dhabi's Integrated Transport Centre said toll charges on the capital's roads would be waived on Saturday.
Sunday will remain toll-free as usual, with standard charges resuming from 7am on Monday.
Surface parking will be free in Abu Dhabi from Saturday until 7.59am on Monday.
Parking spaces at the Musaffah M-18 lorry parking lot will also be free of charge during the official holiday.
Expo City Dubai will mark the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday with special free events that are open to the public from Friday until Sunday.
The evening activities will run from 6.15pm to 9pm for the three days and feature Al Malid performances.
Al Malid is the art of religious singing and is considered one of the most prominent local, traditional art forms, embodying the culture and values of the UAE and rooted in Arab and Islamic heritage.
Preparations for the Prophet Mohammed's birthday — in pictures
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An Egyptian woman with a sweet doll for the upcoming Mawlid celebrations (Prophet Mohammed's birthday), at a market in Sayeda Zienab district in Cairo. The decoration of dolls for this occasion in Egypt is believed to date back to the time of the Fatimid dynasty. EPA -
Egyptians at a market in Cairo buy sweets for the upcoming Mawlid celebrations. EPA -
A market in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region decorated with banners and garlands to mark the birth of Prophet Mohammed. AFP -
Shoppers at a market in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region. AFP -
Shoppers at a market in Tripoli on October 5, 2022 ahead of celebrations to marking the birth of Prophet Mohammed, known in Arabic as 'Mawlid al-Nabawi'. AFP -
Libyans at a market in Tripoli before celebrations to mark Mawlid al-Nabawi. AFP -
Pakistanis during a rally before the birthday of Prophet Mohammed, in Karachi, Pakistan. Eid-Milad-ul-Nabi is celebrated by Muslims every year on the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awal, the third month of the Islamic calendar. EPA -
Pakistani Muslims at the rally in Karachi. EPA -
An illuminated mosque in Karachi. EPA -
The day after a UN-brokered truce expired, drivers in Sanaa, Yemen, have their vehicles decorated in green to celebrate Prophet Mohammed's birthday. EPA -
A Yemeni decorates a vehicle before celebrations begin for the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. EPA -
Shoppers buy decorative items on the roadside ahead of Eid-Milad-ul-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Mohammed, in Karachi, Pakistan. EPA -
An illuminated mosque in Karachi, Pakistan. EPA
